Dictionary entry

Confederate

Webster's Dictionary 1913

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.