confederate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a supporter of the Confederate States of America
  2. noun someone who assists in a plot
    collaborator; partner in crime; henchman.
  3. noun a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan (especially an unethical or illegal plan)
    accomplice.
  4. verb form a group or unite
    band together.
    • The groups banded together
  5. verb form a confederation with; of nations
  6. adjective satellite of or having to do with the southern Confederacy during the American Civil War
    • Confederate soldiers
  7. adjective satellite united in a confederacy or league
    confederative; allied.

WordNet

Con*fed"er*ate adjective
Etymology
L. confoederatus, p. p. of confoederare to join by a league; con- + foederare to establish by treaty or league, fr. foedus league, compact. See Federal.
Definitions
  1. United in a league; allied by treaty; engaged in a confederacy; banded together; allied.
    All the swords In Italy, and her confederate arms, Could not have made this peace. Shak.
  2. (Amer. Hist.) Of or pertaining to the government of the eleven Southern States of the United States which (1860-1865) attempted to establish an independent nation styled the Confederate States of America; as, the Confederate congress; Confederate money.
Con*fed"er*ate noun
Definitions
  1. One who is united with others in a league; a person or a nation engaged in a confederacy; an ally; also, an accomplice in a bad sense.
    He found some of his confederates in gaol. Macaulay.
  2. (Amer. Hist.) A name designating an adherent to the cause of the States which attempted to withdraw from the Union (1860-1865).
Con*fed"er*ate transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Confederated ; present participle & verbal noun Confederating
Definitions
  1. To unite in a legue or confederacy; to ally.
    With these the Piercies them confederate. Daniel.
Con*fed"er*ate intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To unite in a league; to join in a mutual contract or covenant; to band together.
    By words men . . . covenant and confederate. South.

Webster 1913