affiliation

What it means

1. countableuncountableThe relationship resulting from affiliating one thing with another.
2. countableuncountablelawThe establishment of a child's paternity or maternity.

   […] he did not […] forget to write to Mark a stinging letter in which he stated that if he refused to accept his responsibilities he would see that an action for affiliation was brought against him.

   1938, Xavier Herbert, chapter VII, in Capricornia, page 114

   2 more examples

   If the defendant is adjudged to be the father, an affiliation order can be made under which he will be obliged to pay any expenses incidental to the birth and to pay a weekly sum for the maintenance and education of the child.

   1978, A.G. Chloros, editor, The Reform of Family Law in Europe, Dordrecht: Springer Science+Business Media

   The complaint in Marckx related to the fact that according to Belgian law, birth did not create a legal bond between a child and its unmarried mother. Under the Civil Code the mother had to follow an affiliation procedure which would result in adoption of the child.

   2001, Jane Wright, Tort Law and Human Rights, Oxford: and Portland, Oregon: Hart Publishing, page 117

3. countableuncountableA club, society or umbrella organisation so formed, especially a trade union.

In a sentence

[…] he did not […] forget to write to Mark a stinging letter in which he stated that if he refused to accept his responsibilities he would see that an action for affiliation was brought against him.

1938, Xavier Herbert, chapter VII, in Capricornia, page 114

Where it comes from

1. Latinaffiliatiō
2. Frenchaffiliation
3. Englishaffiliation

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”)).