affiliation

英 [əfɪlɪ'eɪʃ(ə)n] 美[ə,fɪlɪ'eʃən]

• n. 友好关系；加入；联盟；从属关系

1. a social or business relationship;

"a valuable financial affiliation"

"he was sorry he had to sever his ties with other members of the team"

"many close associations with England"

2. the act of becoming formally connected or joined;

"welcomed the affiliation of the research center with the university"