alliance

Where does the word "alliance" come from? It comes from Latin alligare, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Alliance’s story begins in Latin: alligare meant “to bind to.” To bind to, from ad- (to) and ligare (to bind). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as aliance. Carried into French for a formal bond between parties. It reached English by 1200s as alliance. Settled as the English word for a formal agreement of cooperation. Today, alliance means a formal agreement or union between two or more parties for mutual benefit.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient alligare "to bind to", to bind to, from ad- (to) and ligare (to bind).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval aliance "a formal bond between parties", carried into French for a formal bond between parties.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s alliance "a formal agreement of cooperation between parties", settled as the English word for a formal agreement of cooperation.