affiliation

[Fr. affiliation, from Low Lat. affiliatio, from Lat. ad =to; filius =a son.] 1. Adoption of a child into a family. 2. Law : Legal a ignment of an illegitimate child to the real or reputed father. "Questions of paternity are involved in those relating to affiliation ."-Taylor: Med. Juris ., ch. lxix. Affiliation order: An order from a court of law designed for this purpose. 3. The initiation of one into a political or other society; also the adoption of a smaller society by a larger and more powerful one having the same aim.