confederate
UK: kənˈfɛdərət | US: kənˈfɛdərɪt
n. 1. A member of a confederation or alliance.
n. 2. (Historical) A supporter of the Confederate States of America during the U.S. Civil War.
adj. United by a formal agreement or league.
vt. To form into a confederation or alliance.
The word "confederate" traces back to Latin confoederatus, combining con- (together) and foedus (treaty, league). The root feder evolved into Old French federer and Middle English confederen, reflecting the idea of binding parties through agreement. The suffix -ate marks it as a verb or noun. Historically, it gained political weight during the U.S. Civil War (1861–1865) to denote the secessionist Southern states.
The tribes formed a confederate to resist invasion.
He was a proud confederate during the Civil War.
The small nations confederated for mutual defense.
The confederate states shared a common currency.
Their confederate efforts led to a stronger trade network.