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Ally vs Understudy - What's the difference?

ally | understudy | Related terms |

As verbs the difference between ally and understudy

is that ally is to unite, or form a connection between, as between families by marriage, or between princes and states by treaty, league, or confederacy while understudy is to study or know a role to such an extent as to be able to replace the normal performer when required.

As nouns the difference between ally and understudy

is that ally is one united to another by treaty or league; — usually applied to sovereigns or states; a confederate while understudy is a performer who understudies; a standby.

As a proper noun Ally

is a diminutive of the female given names Alison, Alice and Alexandra.

ally

English

(Webster 1913)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) alien, (etyl) alier (Modern French allier), from (etyl) . Compare alligate, allay, alloy and ligament.

Verb

(en-verb)
  • To unite, or form a connection between, as between families by marriage, or between princes and states by treaty, league, or confederacy
  • * (rfdate) :
    • O chief! in blood, and now in arms allied .
  • To connect or form a relation between by similitude, resemblance, friendship, or love.
  • * (rfdate) :
    • These three did love each other dearly well, And with so firm affection were allied .
  • * (rfdate) :
    • The virtue nearest to our vice allied .
    Usage notes
    * Generally used in the passive form or reflexively. * Often followed by to'' or ''with .
    Synonyms
    * make common cause

    Noun

    (allies)
  • One united to another by treaty or league; — usually applied to sovereigns or states; a confederate.
  • * (rfdate) :
    • the English soldiers and their French allies
  • Anything associated with another as a helper; an auxiliary.
  • * (rfdate) Buckle:
    • Science, instead of being the enemy of religion, becomes its ally.
  • Anything akin to something else by structure, etc.
  • (taxonomy) A closely related species, usually within the same family.
    • Gruiformes — cranes and allies
  • (obsolete) A relative; a kinsman.
    • (Shakespeare)
    Related terms
    * alliance

    Etymology 2

    Diminutive of alabaster.

    Noun

    (allies)
  • (a glass marble or taw)

    • References

    *

    Anagrams

    * English heteronyms

    understudy

    English

    Verb

  • to study or know a role to such an extent as to be able to replace the normal performer when required
  • to act as an understudy (to someone)

    • Noun

    (understudies)
  • a performer who understudies; a standby

    • See also

    * *