confederationist
|con-fed-er-a-tion-ist|
/kənˌfɛdəˈreɪʃənɪst/
supporter of a confederation
Etymology
'confederationist' originates from English, specifically formed from the noun 'confederation' plus the agent suffix '-ist'. 'confederation' ultimately comes from Medieval Latin 'confederatio' (from Latin 'con-' meaning 'together' and 'foedus' meaning 'treaty' or 'league').
'confederation' passed into Middle English via Old French/Medieval Latin as 'confederacioun'/'confederatio', and the English formation 'confederationist' arose later (notably in political discourse of the 18th–19th centuries) to denote a supporter or advocate of a confederation.
Initially the root referred to a 'coming together by treaty or league'; over time the compound English term came to mean specifically 'one who supports or is a member of a confederation', with 'confederationist' used for political supporters or adherents.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who supports or advocates a confederation (a league or alliance of states or groups); historically, a supporter of forming a political confederation (e.g., in 19th-century discussions about uniting provinces).
During the constitutional debates he was known as a confederationist, arguing for a loose union of the provinces.
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Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of supporters of a confederation, or of a confederation itself (e.g., confederationist policies).
The confederationist faction proposed amendments to preserve provincial autonomy.
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Last updated: 2025/10/22 10:48