allies

[al-ahyz, uh-lahyz] /ˈæl aɪz, əˈlaɪz/
noun
1.
plural of ally.
2.
(initial capital letter) (in World War I) the powers of the Triple Entente (Great Britain, France, Russia), with the nations allied with them (Belgium, Serbia, Japan, Italy, etc., not including the United States), or, loosely, with all the nations (including the United States) allied or associated with them as opposed to the Central Powers.
3.
(initial capital letter) the 26 nations that fought against the Axis in World War II and, with subsequent additions, signed the charter of the United Nations in San Francisco in 1945.
4.
(initial capital letter) the member nations of NATO.

ally

[v. uh-lahy; n. al-ahy, uh-lahy] /v. əˈlaɪ; n. ˈæl aɪ, əˈlaɪ/
verb (used with object), allied, allying.
1.
to unite formally, as by treaty, league, marriage, or the like (usually followed by with or to):
Russia allied itself to France.
2.
to associate or connect by some mutual relationship, as resemblance or friendship.
verb (used without object), allied, allying.
3.
to enter into an alliance; join; unite.
noun, plural allies.
4.
a person, group, or nation that is associated with another or others for some common cause or purpose:
Canada and the United States were allies in World War II.
5.
Biology. a plant, animal, or other organism bearing an evolutionary relationship to another, often as a member of the same family:
The squash is an ally of the watermelon.
6.
a person who associates or cooperates with another; supporter.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English alien < Anglo-French al(l)ier, aillaier, Old French alier < Latin alligāre to bind to. See alloy
Related forms
alliable, adjective
preally, noun, plural preallies.
preally, verb, preallied, preallying.
Can be confused
allay, alley, alloy, ally (see synonym study at allay)
Synonyms
1. unify, join, combine, wed. 4. partner, confederate. 6. friend, aide, accomplice, accessory, assistant, abettor; colleague, coadjutor, auxiliary, helper.
Antonyms
4, 6. enemy, foe, adversary.
Examples from the web for allies
  • In this way, all were willing to sacrifice their lives for him and become his allies.
  • A change in the command of the austrians favoured the first move of the allies.
British Dictionary definitions for allies

allies

/ˈælaɪz/
noun
1.
the plural of ally

Allies

/ˈælaɪz/
plural noun
1.
(in World War I) the powers of the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and Britain) together with the nations allied with them
2.
(in World War II) the countries that fought against the Axis. The main Allied powers were Britain and the Commonwealth countries, the US, the Soviet Union, France, China, and Poland See also Axis

ally

verb (əˈlaɪ) -lies, -lying, -lied usually foll by to or with
1.
to unite or be united, esp formally, as by treaty, confederation, or marriage
2.
(transitive; usually passive) to connect or be related, as through being similar or compatible
noun (ˈælaɪ; əˈlaɪ) (pl) -lies
3.
a country, person, or group allied with another
4.
a plant, animal, substance, etc, closely related to another in characteristics or form
Word Origin
C14: from Old French alier to join, from Latin alligāre to bind to, from ligāre to bind
Word Origin and History for allies

ally

v.

late 13c., "to join in marriage," from Old French alier "combine, unite," from a differentiated stem of aliier (from Latin alligare "bind to;" see alloy). Meaning "to form an alliance, join, associate" is late 14c. Related: allied; allying.

n.

late 14c., "relative, kinsman," from ally (v.); mid-15c. in the sense of "one united with another by treaty or league."

allies in Culture

Allies definition


The victorious allied nations of World War I and World War II. In World War I, the Allies included Britain, France, Italy, Russia, and the United States. In World War II, the Allies included Britain, France, the Soviet Union, and the United States.