Dictionary entry

Confederation

Webster's Dictionary 1913

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.