allies

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
ally1 /ˈalʌɪ/

▶noun (pl. allies) a person or organization that cooperates with another.

■ a state formally cooperating with another for a military or other purpose.

■ (the Allies) the countries that fought with Britain in the First and Second World Wars.

▶verb also /əˈlʌɪ/ (allies, allying, allied)

• 1 (ally oneself with) side with.

• 2 (ally something to/with) combine a resource or commodity with (another) for mutual benefit.

– origin ME: from OFr. alier, from L. alligare ‘bind together’; cf. alloy.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
ally2 /ˈali/ (also alley)

▶noun (pl. allies) a toy marble.

– origin C18: perh. a dimin. of alabaster, choice marbles being made orig. of alabaster or marble.