nonfederal
|non-fed-er-al|
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑnˈfɛdrəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒnˈfɛdrəl/
not federal
Etymology
'nonfederal' is built from the prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non', meaning 'not') and 'federal' (from Latin 'foedus'/'foedalis', meaning 'league' or 'treaty').
'federal' derives from Latin 'foedus' (pl. 'foedera') > Medieval Latin 'foedalis' > Middle French/English 'federal'; the negative prefix 'non-' (Latin) was later attached to form the compound 'nonfederal' in modern English usage.
Originally related to a 'league' or 'covenant' (from 'foedus'), 'federal' came to mean 'relating to a central or national government'; 'nonfederal' therefore developed to mean 'not of or belonging to the federal (national) government.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not relating to or controlled by the federal government; belonging to or conducted at the state, local, or private (nonfederal) level rather than the national/federal level.
The grant was intended for nonfederal organizations, such as city agencies and private nonprofits.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/28 09:16