confederative
|con-fed-er-a-tive|
🇺🇸
/kənˈfɛdərətɪv/
🇬🇧
/kənˈfɛd(ə)rətɪv/
pertaining to a league or alliance
Etymology
'confederative' originates from Modern Latin, specifically the word 'confederativus', ultimately from Latin 'confederare' (or 'confoederare'), where 'con-' meant 'together' and 'foedus' meant 'treaty or pact'.
'confederative' developed via French (e.g. 'confédératif') and Late Latin forms from Classical Latin 'confederare'/'confoederare' and entered English usage to describe things relating to a confederation.
Initially it meant 'relating to or formed by a formal pact or league', and over time it has retained that core sense of 'pertaining to a union or alliance'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of a confederation; pertaining to a league or alliance of states, parties, or groups.
They adopted a confederative constitution to preserve regional autonomy.
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Adjective 2
tending to confederate; promoting union or alliance among separate entities.
A confederative movement sought to bring the smaller parties together.
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Last updated: 2025/09/12 08:11