\Con*fed"er*ate\, a. [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}.]
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\, n.
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\, v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Confederated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Confederating}.]
To unite in a league or confederacy; to ally.
      With these the Piercies them confederate. --Daniel.

\Con*fed"er*ate\, v. i.
To unite in a league; to join in a mutual contract or
covenant; to band together.
      By words men . . . covenant and confederate. --South.