confederacy
UK: kənˈfɛd(ə)rəsi | US: kənˈfɛd(ə)rəsi
n. a union or alliance of states, groups, or individuals for mutual support or common action
n. (historical) the Confederate States of America, the southern states that seceded from the U.S. in 1860–61
n. a group of people or organizations united in an illicit or conspiratorial purpose
confederacy = con<together> + feder<league> + acy<noun suffix>
- con<together>: From Latin cum (with), indicating association or joint action.
- feder<league>: From Latin foedus (treaty, pact), referring to a formal agreement or alliance.
- acy<noun suffix>: A suffix forming nouns denoting a state or quality (e.g., "democracy").
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin confoederatio, combining con- (together) and foedus (treaty). It entered Middle English via Old French confederacie, reflecting the idea of a binding alliance. The term gained political prominence during the U.S. Civil War (1861–65) with the "Confederacy" of Southern states. The morphemes logically progress from "joint pact" to a formalized union, often with political or clandestine undertones.
The tribes formed a confederacy to resist colonial expansion.
The Confederacy was defeated in the American Civil War.
Critics accused the corporations of operating in a confederacy to fix prices.
The confederacy of artists collaborated on a groundbreaking exhibition.
Historical records reveal a secret confederacy among merchant guilds.