confederate
/kən'fedərit/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- United in a confederacy or league: Refers to states, groups, or parties joined together in a formal alliance or federation for mutual support or common action.
- Of or having to do with the southern Confederacy during the American Civil War: Pertaining to the Confederate States of America, the group of 11 southern states that seceded from the United States (1861–1865).
Noun:
- A person who joins with another in carrying out some plan (especially an unethical or illegal plan): An accomplice or partner in a scheme, often with negative connotations.
- A supporter of the Confederate States of America: Someone who supported or fought for the Confederacy during the American Civil War.
Verb:
- To form a confederation with; of nations: To unite in a formal league or alliance, typically for political or military purposes.
- To form a group or unite: To band together for a common purpose.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- The confederate states drafted a new constitution. (The states united in a league drafted a new constitution.)
- He collects artifacts from the Confederate army. (He collects artifacts from the army of the southern Confederacy.)
Noun:
- The thief and his confederate were arrested. (The thief and his accomplice in the plan were arrested.)
- Many confederates remained loyal to their cause after the war. (Many supporters of the Confederacy remained loyal.)
Verb:
- Small nations often confederate to increase their security. (Small nations often form a league to increase their security.)
- The tribes confederated to defend their territory. (The tribes banded together to defend their territory.)
Advanced Usage
"To be confederate with": To be in a league or alliance with.
- The two kingdoms were confederate with each other against the empire. (The two kingdoms were in a formal alliance with each other.)
Historical/Legal Context: In U.S. history, "Confederate" is often capitalized when referring specifically to the Civil War era.
- Jefferson Davis was the Confederate president. (Jefferson Davis was the president of the Confederate States of America.)
Variants and Related Words
- Confederation (n): A union of states or groups united for a common purpose.
- The Articles of Confederation was an early U.S. constitution.
- Confederacy (n): A league or alliance, especially of states. (Often capitalized for the historical southern states).
- The Confederacy was defeated in 1865.
Synonyms
- Accomplice (n): A partner in crime or wrongdoing.
- Ally (n/v): A person or nation united with another for a common purpose.
- Associate (n/v): A partner or colleague.
- Federate (v): To unite in a federation.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions
- To confederate with: To form an alliance with. (This is the verb used with a preposition).
- The rebel group sought to confederate with neighboring factions. (The rebel group sought to form an alliance with neighboring factions.)
Related Idioms
- No direct common idioms use the word "confederate" as a standalone key term. The word is primarily used in its literal, historical, or formal senses.
Adjective
- united in a confederacy or league
- of or having to do with the southern Confederacy during the American Civil War
- Confederate soldiers
Noun
- a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan (especially an unethical or illegal plan)
- someone who assists in a plot
- a supporter of the Confederate States of America
Verb
- form a confederation with; of nations
- form a group or unite
- The groups banded together