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.

-ally

1.
an adverbial suffix attached to certain adjectives with stems in -ic that have no forms ending in -ical: terrifically.
Origin
-al1 + -ly
Examples from the web for ally
  • Humanity's indispensable insect ally is facing an array of threats, many man-made.
  • Ralls and her colleagues have a new ally in their research: a dog.
  • In the long run a strong ally is better than a weak one.
  • Last night my wife said that she's my biggest fan and my biggest ally.
  • If inflation is the enemy, diversification is your ally.
  • The most powerful player is often the least attractive political ally.
  • Beneath the difficulty lies a hidden ally.
  • His ambition fired by the conversation, he began to plan the statue that would be a gift to America from her oldest ally.
  • Adversity had been their ally.
  • Superman was created to be the ally of the average American, the guy who didn't have lots of money or friends in high places.
British Dictionary definitions for ally

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 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."