align
pronunciation
How to pronounce align in British English:
UK [əˈlaɪn]
How to pronounce align in American English:
US [əˈlaɪn]
-
- Verb:
- place in a line or arrange so as to be parallel or straight
- align with; be or come into adjustment
- align oneself with a group or a way of thinking
- bring (components or parts) into proper or desirable coordination correlation
Word Origin
- align (v.)
- early 15c., "to copulate" (of wolves, dogs), literally "to range (things) in a line," from Middle French aligner, from Old French alignier "set, lay in line," from à "to" (see ad-) + lignier "to line," from Latin lineare, from linea (see line (n.)). Transitive or reflexive sense of "to fall into line" is from 1853. International political sense is attested from 1934. No justification for the French spelling, and aline was an early native form. Related: Aligned; aligning.
Example
- 1. But he laments the missed opportunity for a grand bargain to align opposed interests .
- 2. Vietnam and the philippines have appeared to more closely align themselves with the u.s. in the dispute .
- 3. But the hardline chinese approach reinforces the indian thinking that engendered chinese belligerence : that india has little option other than to align with the us .
- 4. Three major faultlines struggles for power , policy disputes ( hawks versus doves ) , and who if anyone to align with internationally may yet see the elite fractured .
- 5. You should be excited about your goals and the best way to do that is to align your goals with your life and passions .