alligation
/ˌalɪˈɡeɪʃn/(also aligation)
noun
1The action of attaching, joining, binding, or linking; the state or fact of being attached, joined, or bound; union, conjunction; combination. Now rare.
2The arithmetical method of solving problems that involve the combining of things of different quality or price; an instance of the use of this method.
- An example given by Baker involves a goldsmith with three kinds of gold worth respectively 30, 36, and 45 crowns per pound weight; how much gold of each kind should be used to make a sceptre worth 40 crowns per pound?..
Origin
Mid 16th century; earliest use found in Richard Taverner (?1505–1575), translator and evangelical reformer. From classical Latin alligātiōn-, alligātiō action of tying or binding, bond from alligāt-, past participial stem of alligāre + -iō.