federate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to unite states, organizations, or groups in a federation while allowing the members some independence

   Several regional unions agreed to federate under a single national council.

2. 2
   adj

   united in an alliance or federation

   The constitution reserved significant powers for each federate state.

From Latin foederatus, 'joined by treaty,' the past participle of foederare, 'to unite by agreement,' based on foedus (genitive foederis), 'treaty, covenant, or league.' The adjective describes members joined by such an agreement; the verb means to create that union.

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