n.
Pronunciation: k ə n- ' fe-d( ə -)r ə -s ē
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -cies
Date: 14th century
1 : a league or compact for mutual support or common action : ALLIANCE
2 : a combination of persons for unlawful purposes : CONSPIRACY
3 : the body formed by persons, states, or nations united by a league specifically capitalized : the 11 southern states seceding from the U.S. in 1860 and 1861