al·li·ance /əˈlaɪən(t)s/
 聯盟,同盟,盟友,盟國;相似,共同點
 Al·li·ance, v. t. To connect by alliance; to ally. [Obs.]
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 Al·li·ance n.
 1. The state of being allied; the act of allying or uniting; a union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc., especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or league; as, matrimonial alliances; an alliance between church and state; an alliance between France and England.
 2. Any union resembling that of families or states; union by relationship in qualities; affinity.
    The alliance of the principles of the world with those of the gospel.   --C. J. Smith.
    The alliance . . . between logic and metaphysics.   --Mansel.
 3. The persons or parties allied.
 Syn: -- Connection; affinity; union; confederacy; confederation; league; coalition.
 alliance
      n 1: the state of being allied or confederated [syn: confederation]
      2: a connection based on kinship or marriage or common
         interest; "the shifting alliances within a large family";
         "their friendship constitutes a powerful bond between
         them" [syn: bond]
      3: an organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact
         or treaty [syn: coalition, alignment, alinement]
         [ant: nonalignment]
      4: a formal agreement establishing an association or alliance
         between nations or other groups to achieve a particular
         aim
      5: the act of forming an alliance or confederation [syn: confederation]
 Alliance
    a treaty between nations, or between individuals, for their
    mutual advantage.
      Abraham formed an alliance with some of the Canaanitish
    princes (Gen. 14:13), also with Abimelech (21:22-32). Joshua and
    the elders of Israel entered into an alliance with the
    Gibeonites (Josh. 9:3-27). When the Israelites entered Palestine
    they were forbidden to enter into alliances with the inhabitants
    of the country (Lev. 18:3, 4; 20:22, 23).
      Solomon formed a league with Hiram (1 Kings 5:12). This
    "brotherly covenant" is referred to 250 years afterwards (Amos
    1:9). He also appears to have entered into an alliance with
    Pharaoh (1 Kings 10:28, 29).
      In the subsequent history of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel
    various alliances were formed between them and also with
    neighbouring nations at different times.
      From patriarchal times a covenant of alliance was sealed by
    the blood of some sacrificial victim. The animal sacrificed was
    cut in two (except birds), and between these two parts the
    persons contracting the alliance passed (Gen. 15:10). There are
    frequent allusions to this practice (Jer. 34:18). Such alliances
    were called "covenants of salt" (Num. 18:19; 2 Chr. 13:5), salt
    being the symbol of perpetuity. A pillar was set up as a
    memorial of the alliance between Laban and Jacob (Gen. 31:52).
    The Jews throughout their whole history attached great
    importance to fidelity to their engagements. Divine wrath fell
    upon the violators of them (Josh. 9:18; 2 Sam. 21:1, 2; Ezek.
    17:16).