alligate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Rare / ObsoleteFormal / Archaic / Technical (legal)
Quick answer
What does “alligate” mean?
To bind together.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To bind together; to join by tying or attaching.
In legal or technical contexts, it can refer to the specific act of attaching or affixing something, such as a seal to a document. In broader use, it can imply a metaphorical binding of ideas or elements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant modern regional difference exists due to its extreme rarity. Historical legal usage might be found in both traditions.
Connotations
Archaic, formal, technical.
Frequency
Effectively zero in both varieties. If encountered, it is more likely in a British historical or legal document due to the persistence of archaic Latin-based terms in UK law.
Grammar
How to Use “alligate” in a Sentence
[Subject] alligates [Object] to [Indirect Object][Subject] alligates [Object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “alligate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The clerk shall alligate the official seal to the parchment.
- The deed was alligated with red ribbon and wax.
American English
- The notary will alligate her certification to the document. (historical)
- The old manuscript alligated several appendices.
adverb
British English
- No established adverbial form in use.
American English
- No established adverbial form in use.
adjective
British English
- No established adjectival form in use.
American English
- No established adjectival form in use.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Potentially in historical or philological papers discussing archaic language.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Rarely in historical legal terminology referring to the formal attachment of a seal or appendix to a document.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “alligate”
- Using it in modern contexts.
- Confusing it with 'allocate' (to distribute).
- Misspelling as 'allegate' or 'allegate'.
- Incorrect stress: /əˈlaɪ.ɡeɪt/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and considered archaic or highly technical. You will almost never encounter it in modern speech or writing.
'Alligate' means to bind or attach physically. 'Allocate' means to distribute or assign resources (e.g., to allocate funds). They are completely different words.
Only if you are writing about historical legal practices, etymology, or archaic language. In any other context, it will seem odd and pretentious. Use 'attach,' 'affix,' or 'bind' instead.
The related noun is 'alligation,' but it is also obsolete. In historical contexts, it could refer to the act of binding or, in mathematics, a rule for solving mixture problems (unrelated to the verb's core meaning).
To bind together.
Alligate is usually formal / archaic / technical (legal) in register.
Alligate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæl.ɪ.ɡeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæl.ə.ɡeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To alligate the seal (legal idiom)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ALLIGATE' as 'ALL I GATE' – imagine binding ALL the planks I need to build a GATE together.
Conceptual Metaphor
BINDING IS CREATING CONNECTION / ATTACHMENT IS A PHYSICAL BOND.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the verb 'alligate' be MOST appropriately used?