Search

.
a female given name, form of .
(especially in women’s clothing) a cut of garment consisting basically of two A -shaped panels for the front and back, designed to give increasing fullness toward the hemline.
a garment having such a cut.
being of such design or cut:
an A-line coat; an A-line dress.
to arrange in a straight line; adjust according to a line.
to bring into a line or .
to bring into cooperation or agreement with a particular group, party, cause, etc.:
He aligned himself with the liberals.
to adjust (two or more components of an electronic circuit) to improve the response over a frequency band, as to align the tuned circuits of a radio receiver for proper tracking throughout its frequency range, or a television receiver for appropriate wide-band responses.
to fall or come into line; be in line.
to join with others in a cause.
Contemporary Examples

In July 2009, he and aline were arrested in Switzerland on charges of beating up their servants in a Geneva hotel.
Is Gaddafi Next? Philip Shenon January 27, 2011

According to the cable, aline initially fled to the U.K. after confronting Hannibal and threatening to leave the marriage.
Is Gaddafi Next? Philip Shenon January 27, 2011

Cretz wrote he was told that, “Hannibal had pursued aline in London and the encounter ended in assault.”
Is Gaddafi Next? Philip Shenon January 27, 2011

Historical Examples

That rose so large and full, with a rare shade of violet red, brightened with crimson maroon, is aline Sisley.
Talks about Flowers. M. D. Wellcome

Did you ever hear, aline, how poor Philippe de Vilmorin came by his end?
Scaramouche Rafael Sabatini

“The assignation is for nine o’clock in the Bois de Boulogne,” aline informed her.
Scaramouche Rafael Sabatini

aline was her niece, and such a marriage in the family would be to the credit of the whole of it.
Scaramouche Rafael Sabatini

She was breakfasting in Miss aline’s sitting-room after a cool ramble in the garden.
Patsy S. R. Crockett

It was enough to inform aline that Mme. de Plougastel’s errand must be akin to her own.
Scaramouche Rafael Sabatini

Really, aline, you have a trick of asking the most disconcerting and improper questions.
Scaramouche Rafael Sabatini

verb
a rare spelling of align
verb
to place or become placed in a line
to bring (components or parts, such as the wheels of a car) into proper or desirable coordination or relation
(transitive) usually foll by with. to bring (a person, country, etc) into agreement or cooperation with the policy, etc of another person or group
(transitive) (psychol) to integrate or harmonize the aims, practices, etc of a group
(usually foll by with) (psychol) to identify with or match the behaviour, thoughts, etc of another person
adjective
(of a garment, esp a skirt or dress) flaring slightly from the waist or shoulders

fem. proper name, French, short for Adeline.
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 reflective 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.
adj.

descriptive of a dress or skirt flared in shape of a letter “A,” 1955, in reference to the designs of Christian Dior (1905-1957).