federal

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   characterized by or constituting a form of government in which power is divided between one central and several regional authorities

   a federal system like that of the United States

2. 2
   adj

   of or relating to the central government of a federation

   a federal district is one set aside as the seat of the national government

3. 3
   adj

   Pertaining to a league or treaty; derived from an agreement or covenant between parties, especially between nations.

   Yet the Romans, taking them [the Carthaginians] at an Advantage, vvhen they vvere in Streights; compell'd them, contrary to all Fœderal Right and Juſtice, by Nevv Articles, both to part with Sardinia, their Lavvful Territory, and alſo to pay them for the future, a Double Tribute.

4. 4
   adj

   Pertaining to the national government level in a federal nation, as opposed to state, provincial, county, city, or town.

   That this Assembly doth explicitly and peremptorily declare, that it views the powers of the federal government as resulting from the compact to which the states are parties, as limited by the plain sense and intention of the instrument constituting that compact, as no further valid than they are authorized by the grants enumerated in that compact; [...]

5. 5
   adj

   Relating to covenantalism.

   federal theology

6. 6
   noun

   Alternative letter-case form of federal.

   Cities and small towns alike, from Charleroi, Pennsylvania, and Springfield, Ohio, to Whitewater, Wisconsin, have seen significant influxes of migrants. Even major urban centers such as New York City, Chicago, and Denver have sought Federal aid to manage the burden of new arrivals.

7. 7
   adj

   national

8. 8
   adj

   being of or having to do with the northern United States and those loyal to the Union during the American Civil War

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰeydʰ- Proto-Indo-European *-ós Proto-Indo-European *bʰeydʰós Proto-Italic *feiðos Latin foedusder. French fédéralder. English federal From French fédéral, from Latin stem foeder- of foedus (“covenant, league, treaty, alliance”).