Confederate

/kənˈfɛd.ər.ɪt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A person, group, or nation that is joined with others in a confederation or alliance.

The confederates worked together to achieve their common goals.

An accomplice or ally in a crime.

He was sentenced to prison for being a confederate in the robbery.

verb

To unite or ally in a confederation.

The states decided to confederate for mutual support.

adjective

Joined together in a league or alliance.

The confederate states fought together during the Civil War.

From Latin 'confoederatus', past participle of 'confoederare' meaning 'to join in a league'.

confederate states

The group of southern U.S. states that seceded from the Union during the Civil War.

confederate soldier

A soldier who fought for the Confederate States during the American Civil War.

confederate army

The land and naval military forces of the Confederate States.

confederation

A union of political organizations or states for a common purpose.

federation

A group of states with a central government but independence in internal affairs.

league

A collection of people, countries, or groups that combine for a particular purpose.

A colloquial term for someone who sides with a cause, often used in historical contexts.

He was called a confederate by his friends for supporting the old ways.

Used informally to denote a partner in crime or mischievous activities.

They were confederates in their juvenile escapades.