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.
Confederate
(Con*fed"er*ate) 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.
All the swords
In Italy, and her confederate arms,
Could not have made this peace.
Shak.
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.
Confederate
(Con*fed"er*ate), 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.
He found some of his confederates in gaol.
Macaulay.
2. (Amer. Hist.) A name designating an adherent to the cause of the States which attempted to withdraw
from the Union
Confederate
(Con*fed"er*ate) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Confederated ; p. pr. & vb. n. Confederating ] To
unite in a league or confederacy; to ally.
With these the Piercies them confederate.
Daniel.
Confederate
(Con*fed"er*ate), v. i. To unite in a league; to join in a mutual contract or covenant; to band
together.
By words men . . . covenant and confederate.
South.
Confederater
(Con*fed"er*a`ter) n. A confederate.
Confederation
(Con*fed`er*a"tion) 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.
The three princes enter into some strict league and confederation among themselves.
Bacon.
This was no less than a political confederation of the colonies of New England.
Palfrey.
2. The parties that are confederated, considered as a unit; a confederacy.
Articles of confederation. See under Article.
Confederative
(Con*fed"er*a*tive) a. Of or pertaining to a confederation.
Confederator
(Con*fed"er*a`tor) n. A confederate. Grafton.
Confer
(Con*fer") v. t. [imp. & p. p. Conferred (#); p. pr. & vb. n. Conferring.] [L. conferre to bring
together, contribute, consult; con- + ferre to bear: cf. F. conférer. See 1st Bear.]
