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 cooking
2 a : a close bond or connection : interrelationship b : an illicit sexual relationship : affair 3a
3 a : communication for establishing and maintaining mutual understanding and cooperation (as between parts of an armed force) b : one that establishes and maintains liaison
4 : 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