al·ly
(ə-lī́, ăĺī)
[Middle English allien, from Old French alier, from Latin alligāre, to bind to; see alloy.]
verb: -lied, -ly·ing, -lies.
transitive verb
- To place in a friendly association, as by treaty: Italy allied itself with Germany during World War II.
- To unite or connect in a personal relationship, as in friendship or marriage.
intransitive verb
- To enter into an alliance: Several tribes allied to fend off the invaders.
noun: pl., -lies.
- One that is allied with another, especially by treaty: entered the war as an ally of France.
- One in helpful association with another: legislators who are allies on most issues. See synonyms at partner
- The nations allied against the Central Powers of Europe during World War I. They were Russia, France, Great Britain, and later many others, including the United States.
- The nations, primarily Great Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States, allied against the Axis during World War II.
