*confeder*

n.; pl. Confederacies [ From Confederate, a. ] 1. A league or compact between two or more persons, bodies of men, or states, for mutual support or common action; alliance. [ 1913 Webster ]

The friendships of the world are oft
Confederacies in vice or leagues of pleasure. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

He hath heard of our confederacy. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Virginia promoted a confederacy. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The persons, bodies, states, or nations united by a league; a confederation. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Grecian common wealth, . . . the most heroic confederacy that ever existed. Harris. [ 1913 Webster ]

Virgil has a whole confederacy against him. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) A combination of two or more persons to commit an unlawful act, or to do a lawful act by unlawful means. See Conspiracy.

Syn. -- League; compact; alliance; association; union; combination; confederation. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Amer. Hist.) With the, the Confederate States of America. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. [ L. confoederatus, p. p. of confoederare to join by a league; con- + foederare to establish by treaty or league, fr. foedus league, compact. See Federal. ] 1. United in a league; allied by treaty; engaged in a confederacy; banded together; allied. [ 1913 Webster ]

All the swords
In Italy, and her confederate arms,
Could not have made this peace. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Amer. Hist.) Of or pertaining to the government of the eleven Southern States of the United States which (1860-1865) attempted to establish an independent nation styled the Confederate States of America; as, the Confederate congress; Confederate money. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who is united with others in a league; a person or a nation engaged in a confederacy; an ally; also, an accomplice in a bad sense. [ 1913 Webster ]

He found some of his confederates in gaol. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Amer. Hist.) A name designating an adherent to the cause of the States which attempted to withdraw from the Union (1860-1865). [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Confederated p. pr. & vb. n. Confederating ] To unite in a league or confederacy; to ally. [ 1913 Webster ]

With these the Piercies them confederate. Daniel. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To unite in a league; to join in a mutual contract or covenant; to band together. [ 1913 Webster ]

By words men . . . covenant and confederate. South. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A confederate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. confoederatio: cf. F. confédération. ] 1. The act of confederating; a league; a compact for mutual support; alliance, particularly of princes, nations, or states. [ 1913 Webster ]

The three princes enter into some strict league and confederation among themselves. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

This was no less than a political confederation of the colonies of New England. Palfrey. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The parties that are confederated, considered as a unit; a confederacy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Articles of confederation. See under Article. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to a confederation. [ 1913 Webster ]