What does "confederate" mean?
Confederate: (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.
Additional senses
- 2.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.
- 3.(Amer. Hist.) A name designating an adherent to the cause of the States which attempted to withdraw from the Union (1860-1865).
- 4.To unite in a legue or confederacy; to ally. With these the Piercies them confederate. Daniel.
- 5.To unite in a league; to join in a mutual contract or covenant; to band together. By words men . . . covenant and confederate. South.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
- Canonical URL: https://worddirectanswers.com/answers/what-does-confederate-mean
- Steward: Jason Burns
- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00