coalition
    n 1: an organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact
         or treaty [syn: alliance, coalition, alignment,
         alinement] [ant: nonalignment, nonalinement]
    2: the state of being combined into one body [syn: coalition,
       fusion]
    3: the union of diverse things into one body or form or group;
       the growing together of parts [syn: coalescence,
       coalescency, coalition, concretion, conglutination]

Coalition \Co`a*li"tion\, n. [LL. coalitio: cf. F. coalition.
   See Coalesce.]
   1. The act of coalescing; union into a body or mass, as of
      separate bodies or parts; as, a coalition of atoms.
      --Bentley.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A combination, for temporary purposes, of persons,
      parties, or states, having different interests.
      [1913 Webster]

            A coalition of the puritan and the blackleg. --J.
                                                  Randolph.
      [1913 Webster]

            The coalition between the religious and worldly
            enemies of popery.                    --Macaulay.

   Syn: Alliance; confederation; confederacy; league;
        combination; conjunction; conspiracy; union.
        [1913 Webster]

COALITION, French law. By this word is understood an unlawful agreement 
among several persons, not to do a thing except on some conditions agreed 
upon. 
     2. The most usual coalitions are, 1st. those which take place among 
master workmen, to reduce, diminish or fix at a low rate the wages of 
journeymen and other workmen; 2d. those among workmen or journeymen, not to 
work except at a certain price. These offences are punished by fine and 
imprisonment. Dict. de Police, h.t. In our law this offence is known by the 
name of conspiracy. (q.v.)