ally
    n 1: a friendly nation
    2: an associate who provides cooperation or assistance; "he's a
       good ally in fight" [syn: ally, friend] [ant: enemy,
       foe]
    v 1: become an ally or associate, as by a treaty or marriage;
         "He allied himself with the Communists"

Ally \Al"ly\, n.
   See Alley, a marble or taw.
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Ally \Al*ly"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Allied; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Allying.] [OE. alien, OF. alier, F. alier, fr. L. alligare
   to bind to; ad + ligare to bind. Cf. Alligate, Alloy,
   Allay, Ligament.]
   1. To unite, or form a connection between, as between
      families by marriage, or between princes and states by
      treaty, league, or confederacy; -- often followed by to or
      with.
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            O chief! in blood, and now in arms allied. --Pope.
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   2. To connect or form a relation between by similitude,
      resemblance, friendship, or love.
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            These three did love each other dearly well,
            And with so firm affection were allied. --Spenser.
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            The virtue nearest to our vice allied. --Pope.
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   Note: Ally is generally used in the passive form or
         reflexively.
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Ally \Al*ly"\, n.; pl. Allies. [See Ally, v.]
   1. A relative; a kinsman. [Obs.] --Shak.
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   2. One united to another by treaty or league; -- usually
      applied to sovereigns or states; a confederate.
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            The English soldiers and their French allies.
                                                  --Macaulay.
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   3. Anything associated with another as a helper; an
      auxiliary.
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            Science, instead of being the enemy of religion,
            becomes its ally.                     --Buckle.
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   4. Anything akin to another by structure, etc.
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ALLY, international law. A power which has entered into an alliance with
another power. A citizen or subject of one of the powers in alliance, is
sometimes called an ally; for example, the rule which renders it unlawful
for a citizen of the United States to trade or carry on commerce with an
enemy, also precludes an ally from similar intercourse. 4 Rob. Rep. 251; 6
Rob. Rep. 406; Dane's Ab, Index, h.t.; 2 Dall. 15.