Main Entry:

li·ai·son

Pronunciation:

\ˈlē-ə-ˌzän, lē-ˈā-, ÷ˈlā-ə-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

French, from Middle French, from lier, from Old French

Date:

circa 1648

1: a binding or thickening agent used in cooking2 a: a close bond or connection : interrelationship b: an illicit sexual relationship : affair 3a3 a: communication for establishing and maintaining mutual understanding and cooperation (as between parts of an armed force) b: one that establishes and maintains liaison4: the pronunciation of an otherwise absent consonant sound at the end of the first of two consecutive words the second of which begins with a vowel sound and follows without pause