alliance n
1. the state of being allied or confederated [syn: confederation]
2. a connection based on kinship or marriage or common interest; "the shifting alliances within a large family"; "their friendship constitutes a powerful bond between them" [syn: bond]
3. an organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact or treaty [syn: coalition, alignment, alinement] [ant: nonalignment]
4. a formal agreement establishing an association or alliance between nations or other groups to achieve a particular aim
5. the act of forming an alliance or confederation [syn: confederation]

Alliance \Al*li"ance\, v. t. To connect by alliance; to ally. [Obs.]

Alliance \Al*li"ance\, n. [OE. aliaunce, OF. aliance, F. alliance, fr. OF. alier, F. allier. See Ally, and cf. LL. alligantia.]
1. The state of being allied; the act of allying or uniting; a union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league; as, matrimonial alliances; an alliance between church and state; an alliance between France and England.
2. Any union resembling that of families or states; union by relationship in qualities; affinity. The alliance of the principles of the world with those of the gospel. --C. J. Smith. The alliance . . . between logic and metaphysics. --Mansel.
3. The persons or parties allied. --Udall. Syn: Connection; affinity; union; confederacy; confederation; league; coalition.

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An alliance is an agreement or friendship between two or more parties, made in order to advance common goals and to secure common interests.

See also military alliance and business alliance.

In international relations, the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, signed in 1373 between the Kingdom of England (succeeded by the United Kingdom) and Portugal, is the oldest alliance in the world which is still in force.

Coach Trip. There is usual a alliance created between several passengers so they can remain longer on the coach.

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