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A or connection made between countries, groups, families etc for a shared purpose or for the protection of their interests: *The two countries entered into a defensive alliance (with each other).* | an alliance of moderate political groupings to oppose the government → see also UNHOLY ALLIANCE **2** [C+sing./pl. v] a group or association formed in this way; combination of allies (ALLY): *The SDP–Liberal Alliance is holding a conference.* **3** [U(with)] the act of forming an alliance or the state of being in an alliance: *The steel union, in alliance with the railway workers, is planning a major strike.* **4** [C] becoming rare a union of families by marriage
**al-lied** /əˈlaɪd, ˈælaɪd/ *adj* [(to)] **1** joined by political agreement: *the allied forces* → see also ALLIES **2** related, especially by shared qualities; similar: *a discussion of health and fitness and allied topics* **3** [F+with/to] connected; in addition: *The beautiful photography, allied with a very good script, makes it an excellent film.* → see also ALLY²
**Al-lies, the** /ˈælaɪz/ *n* [P] **1** the countries, including Britain, the US, and the USSR, that fought together during the Second World War **2** the countries, including Britain, the US, and France, that fought together during the First World War **3** the countries that fought together against Iraq in the Gulf War in the early 1990s
**al-li-ga-tor** /ˈælɪɡetəʳ/ *n* *pl.* **-tors** or **-tor** **1** [C] a large cold-blooded REPTILE that lives on land and in lakes and rivers in the hot wet parts of America and China → compare CROCODILE **2** [U] its skin turned into leather **3** *see you later, alligator* a phrase used, especially by and to children, to say goodbye. The reply to this is 'in a while CROCODILE.
**,all-im'portant** *adj* extremely important: *the all-important question in everyone's minds*
**,all-in'clusive** *adj* INCLUSIVE
**,all-in-'one** *adj* [A] BrE combining two or more things that are usually separate into one thing: *an all-in-one TV and video*
**,all-in 'wrestling** *n* [U] a type of professional wrestling (WRESTLE) without limits on moves, holds, or methods
**al-lit-er-a-tion** /əˌlɪtəˈreɪʃən/ *n* [U] the appearance of the same sound or sounds at the beginning of two or more words that are next to or close to each other (as in 'Round the rocks runs the river') —**tive** /əˈlɪtərətɪv|-təretɪv/ *adj* —**tively** *adv*
**all-night-er** /ˌɔːl naɪtəʳ/ *n* AmE a whole night spent studying or working: *Chip pulled an all-nighter (=stayed up all night studying) before his chemistry test.*
**al-lo-cate** /ˈæləkeɪt/ *v* [T(to)] **1** to set apart for a particular purpose; EARMARK: *The government has allocated over £100 million to the job creation programme.* | *That space has already been allocated for building a new hospital.* **2** to give as a share: *We've allocated accommodation to each of the refugees.* | [+obj(i)+obj(d)] *Each of the refugees has been allocated accommodation.*
**al-lo-ca-tion** /ˌæləˈkeɪʃən/ *n* **1** [U] the act of allocating **2** [C] a share or amount that has been allocated
**al-lo-path-ic medi-cine** /ˌæləʊpæθɪk ˈmedɪsən||-ˈmedɪsən/ *n* [U] the science and practice of medicine that is standard in the west; WESTERN MEDICINE
**al-lot** /əˈlɒt||əˈlɑːt/ *v* **-tt-** [T(to)] to give as a share or set apart for a purpose; allocate: *Most of the money has already been allotted.* | [+obj(i)+obj(d)] *They allotted us three weeks to finish the job.* | *We were unable to finish it in the allotted time.*
**al-lot-ment** /əˈlɒtmənt||əˈlɑt-/ *n* **1** [C] a share, for example of money or space **2** [U] the giving of shares; allocation **3** [C] (in Britain) a small piece of land rented out, especially by a town council, to people who will grow vegetables on it
**,all-'out** *adj* [A] total, complete, holding nothing back: *all-out war* | *an all-out assault on their opponents' goal*
**al-low** /əˈlaʊ/ *v* **1** [T] to let (someone) do something without opposing them or trying to prevent them; let (something) be done; permit: *They don't allow music after 10.30 at night.* | [+v-ing] *Walking on the grass is not allowed.* | [+obj+to-v] *His parents won't allow him to come.* | *He would like to come, but he's not allowed to.* | *Allow me to explain* (=I would like to explain) *that the government has no intention of raising taxes.* **2** [+obj+adv/prep] to let come or go: *I don't allow dogs in the house.* | *They're not allowed out on Sundays.* **3** [T] to provide or give (especially money or time); for a special purpose: *You'll have to allow three days for that job.* [+obj(i)+obj(d)] *My father allows me money for books.* | *We are only allowed a three-minute break.* **4** [+of;T] to make possible (for): *The facts allow (of) no other explanation.* | [+obj+to-v] *The extra money will allow us to buy a car.* | *A loophole in the law allowed them to escape prosecution.* **5** [T] to officially accept as correct, proper etc: *The referee refused to allow the goal.* | *Will the court allow her claim?* → opposite DISALLOW **6** [T+that] *fml* to admit: *We must allow that.* | *It must be allowed that he is a very clever politician.*
**allow for sbdy./sthg.** *phr v* [T] to take into consideration: *The cost of the project will be £2 million, which allows for inflation at 5%.* | [+v-ing] *We must start early, to allow for finding their house.* | [+obj+v-ing] *Allowing for the train being late, we should be back by 10.30.*
**al-low-able** /əˈlaʊəbəl/ *adj* that may be allowed or permitted —**bly** *adv*
**al-low-ance** /əˈlaʊəns/ *n* **1** [C] **a)** something, especially money, provided regularly or for a special purpose: *The scholarship includes an allowance (of £100) for books.* | *a travelling allowance* **b)** AmE for POCKET MONEY **2** [C] **a)** money taken off the cost of something, usually for a special reason; reduction **b)** an amount of money one is allowed to earn free of tax: *a married man's tax allowance* **3** [C;U] the taking into consideration of facts that may change something, especially an opinion or judgment: *She failed one of the exam papers, but we ought to make allowance(s) for the fact that she was ill.*
**al-loy¹** /ˈælɔɪ||ˈælɔɪ, ˈɔlɔɪ/ *n* [C;U] a metal that consists of two or more different metals mixed together: *Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc.*
**al-loy²** /əˈlɔɪ||ˈɔlɔɪ, ˈælɔɪ/ *v* [T] **1** *lit* to lower in value or quality; spoil → see also UNALLOYED **2** [(with)] *tech* to mix (one metal) with another
**,all-'party** *adj* involving Members of Parliament from different political parties: *An all-party committee of MPs has been set up to report on recent changes in the NHS.*
**,all-points 'bulletin** *n* AmE a police message, for example about a person wanted for questioning, broadcast to all police stations in an area
**,all-'powerful** *adj* having the power to do anything; OMNIPOTENT
**'all-,purpose** *adj* [A] able to be used in all conditions or for all purposes: *an all-purpose cleaning liquid*
**All ,Quiet on the ,Western 'Front** a novel by the German writer Erich Maria Remarque, who was a soldier in the First World War. It describes how terrible war is and how hard it is for some soldiers to live a normal life when they return home. People use the expression 'All Quiet on the Western Front' to mean that a situation or activity that is normally very busy is quiet at the present time.
**,all 'right** *adj, adv* [F no comp.] **1** safe, unharmed, or healthy: *The driver was rather shaken after the accident, but otherwise all right.* **2** *infml* satisfactory but not very good; acceptable in a satisfactory or acceptable manner or state: *His work is all right (but he could be faster).* | *We're doing all right.* **3** allowable; acceptable: *Is it all right if I go now?* **4** also right — (in answer to a suggestion, plan etc) I/we agree; yes: *'Come tomorrow.' 'All right! What time?'* **5** *infml* beyond doubt; certainly: *He's ill all right: he's got pneumonia.* **6** *that's/it's all right* (used as a reply when someone thanks you or says they are sorry for something they have done): *'Sorry I'm late.' 'That's all right.'* **7** *I'm all right Jack* BrE also *you're, she's etc all right Jack* used in order to show disapproval when someone's attitude shows that they do not care about a problem that other people are having because it does not affect them: *Middle-class resistance to tax increases is typical of the I'm all right Jack mentality.* | *You got a pay rise – you're all right Jack, so I suppose you don't want to hear about anyone else's problems.*
**1** In a talk or lecture **all right** can be used to show that the speaker is introducing a new topic or activity: *All right, let's move on to the next point.* | *All right, now everyone stand up.* **2** In informal spoken English **(all) right** is often used to check that the listener has understood: *Switch it on and then press this button. (All) right?*