I. kənˈfed(ə)rə̇t, rap. -dərt; usu -ə̇d. or -rd.+V adjective
Etymology: Middle English confederat, from Late Latin confoederatus, past participle of confoederare to unite by a league, from com- + foederare to establish by treaty, from Latin foeder-, foedus treaty, league — more at federal
1.
a. : united in a league : allied by treaty : engaged in a confederacy or confederation : confederated
confederate government
b. of a person
(1) : assisting, abetting
(2) : conspiratorial
confederate look between father and child — Elizabeth Bowen
2. usually capitalized : of or relating to the Confederate States of America
the Confederate army
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English confederat, from Late Latin confoederatus, from confoederatus, past participle of confoederare
1.
a. : one united with others in a confederacy or confederation : a person or a nation in a confederacy : ally
b. : a member of a gang : accomplice 1
2. usually capitalized : an adherent of the Confederate States of America or their cause
III. kənˈfedəˌrāt, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: confederate (I)
transitive verb
: to unite (as nations) in a league, confederacy, or conspiracy : ally
the enemy is just the enemy, regardless of how many nations he has been able to confederate — R.M.Weaver
intransitive verb
: to unite in a league : join in a mutual contract or covenant : band together