Etymology: Cognate with or formed similarly to Middle Dutch erliggen , Middle Low German erliggen , Old High German irliggen (Middle High German erligen , German erliegen ) < the Germanic base of or- prefix (compare a- prefix¹) + the Germanic base of lie v.¹In Old English a strong verb of Class V; distinctively strong forms are found in early Middle English. Compare the Old English weak verb (Class I) alecgan allay v.¹, representing a causative formation derived from the same base. In Old English also in sense ‘to lie, to lie down’ (compare lie v.¹ I.). Sense 2 may alternatively show a specific use of ally v. (compare ally v. 3).

Etymology: Probably a specific use of ally v. (compare ally v. 2). Compare French alier to bandage (a wound) (11th cent. in Rashi, rare) and its etymon classical Latin alligāre , in the same sense, specific use of alligāre to bind (see alligate v.; compare ally v.). Compare also aline v.