confederation

C2+ Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /kənˌfɛdəˈreɪʃən/ UK /kənˌfɛdəˈreɪʃən/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

noun
an alliance of states or groups united for a common purpose

The cantons formed a loose confederation for mutual defense.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · an alliance of states or... alliance league federation coalition union confederacy compact

Word family

Related forms confederate confederacy federal

Etymology

From Late Latin confoederationem, from confoederare ('to unite in a league'), from com- ('together') + foederare, from foedus ('league, treaty').

confoederatio Latin foedus Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# confederation

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /kənˌfɛdəˈreɪʃən/
**IPA (UK):** /kənˌfɛdəˈreɪʃən/

## Meanings
1. an alliance of states or groups united for a common purpose

## Examples
- The cantons formed a loose confederation for mutual defense.

## Synonyms
- alliance
- league
- federation
- coalition
- union
- confederacy
- compact

## Related Forms
- confederate
- confederacy
- federal

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: confoederatio
- Root: foedus

## Etymology
From Late Latin confoederationem, from confoederare ('to unite in a league'), from com- ('together') + foederare, from foedus ('league, treaty').

## AI Etymology
Confederation is a noun meaning "an alliance of states or groups united for a common purpose". Historically, it is from Late Latin confoederationem, from confoederare ('to unite in a league'), from com- ('together') + foederare, from foedus ('league, treaty'). The visible construction is part of the etymology: confederation is not just an unanalyzed simple word. The historical chain links Latin confoederatio with Latin foedus. Close English family members include confederate, confederacy, and federal.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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