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co·a·li·tion (kōə-lĭshən)
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n.
1. An alliance, especially a temporary one, of people, factions, parties, or nations.
2. A combination into one body; a union.
3.
a. A long-term cooperative alliance among a small number of male lions or cheetahs, especially to gain access to females or territory.
b. A transitory association of animals of the same species in which members join forces against another animal or animals to defend against an attack or gain access to a resource.

[French, from Medieval Latin coalitiō, coalitiōn-, from Latin coalitus, past participle of coalēscere, to grow together; see COALESCE.]

coa·lition·ist n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.