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affiliation

n.
US //əˌfɪɫiˈeɪʃən// UK //ɐfˌɪlɪˈeɪʃən// af·fil·i·a·tion
  1. 1 formal connection (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a formal connection or membership with a group, such as a political party or a religion.

    the state of being formally connected or associated with a larger body, such as a political, religious, or professional organisation.

    Example

    He was asked about his political affiliation during the interview for the government job.

    Example

    The researcher maintained a strict professional distance to ensure that her political affiliation did not bias the outcome of the study.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'with'.

  2. 2 organisational link (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Academic

    a link between two organisations where one is a member of the other.

    a formal relationship between two organisations, typically where a smaller entity is a member of or subordinate to a larger umbrella group.

    Example

    The local hospital has a formal affiliation with the city's medical university.

    Example

    The college's affiliation with the national research council provided students with access to exclusive laboratory facilities and funding opportunities.

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  1. 3 legal paternity (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Law

    the legal process of deciding who the father of a child is.

    the legal establishment of a child's parentage, specifically paternity.

    Example

    The court issued an affiliation order to ensure the father paid for the child's care.

    Example

    The legal proceedings were delayed while the court awaited the results of the DNA test required for the affiliation order.

Origin

From French affiliation, from Latin affiliatiō, noun of action from verb affiliō, from af- (form of ad- (“to”) before an f) + filiō (from filius (“son”)).

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