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alignment

[uh-lahyn-muh nt]
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noun
  1. an adjustment to a line; arrangement in a straight line.
  2. the line or lines so formed.
  3. the proper adjustment of the components of an electronic circuit, machine, etc., for coordinated functioning: The front wheels of the car are out of alignment.
  4. a state of agreement or cooperation among persons, groups, nations, etc., with a common cause or viewpoint.
  5. a ground plan of a railroad or highway.
  6. Archaeology. a line or an arrangement of parallel or converging lines of upright stones or menhirs.
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Also a·line·ment.

Origin of alignment

1780–90; align + -ment; replacing earlier alignement < French
Related formsnon·a·line·ment, nounre·a·lign·ment, nounself-a·lign·ment, nounself-a·line·ment, noun

aline

[uh-lahyn]
verb (used with or without object), a·lined, a·lin·ing.
  1. align.
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Related formsa·line·ment, nouna·lin·er, nounnon·a·lined, adjectiveself-a·lin·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for alinement

Historical Examples

  • Was there reasonable mathematical certainty in that alinement, within the limits of your observations of their pictures?

    Warren Commission (5 of 26): Hearings Vol. V (of 15)

    The President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy

British Dictionary definitions for alinement

aline

verb
  1. a rare spelling of align
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Derived Formsalinement, nounaliner, noun

alignment

noun
  1. arrangement in a straight line
  2. the line or lines formed in this manner
  3. alliance or union with a party, cause, etc
  4. proper or desirable coordination or relation of components
  5. a ground plan of a railway, motor road, etc
  6. archaeol an arrangement of one or more ancient rows of standing stones, of uncertain significance
  7. psychol integration or harmonization of aims, practices, etc within a group
  8. psychol identification with or matching of the behaviour, thoughts, etc of another person
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for alinement

alignment

n.

1790, "arrangement in a line," from French alignement, from aligner (see align). Political sense is from 1933.

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Aline

fem. proper name, French, short for Adeline.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper