Etymology:
Latin: confederatio, from con-, "together" + foederare, "to league"
Meaning:
A loose union of states, provinces, or other political entities that share a common goal or purpose but maintain their own autonomy and sovereignty.
Origin:
The concept of confederation has existed for centuries. In ancient Greece, the city-states formed loose confederations known as amphictyonies. The Swiss Confederacy, established in 1291, is one of the earliest examples of a modern confederation.
In the United States, the Articles of Confederation (1781-1789) established a loose confederation of 13 independent states. However, the Articles proved to be too weak and led to the adoption of the Constitution in 1789, which established a stronger federal government.
Contemporary examples of confederations include the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Etymology The word abide comes from the Old English word abīdan which is derived fr
Etymology Old English abod or gebod Proto Germanic þōdô Proto Indo European dʰōdʰ
Etymology Old French afiancier to betroth Vulgar Latin affidentiare to be bound by p
Etymology Latin affidavit meaning he she has sworn third person singular perfect
Etymology The term auto da fe is derived from the Portuguese and Spanish phrase auto
Etymology The word bide comes from Old English bidan meaning to wait remain or e
Etymology The word confederate originates from the Latin word confoederatus which m
Etymology The word confidant comes from the Old French word confidant which in turn
Etymology The word confide comes from the Latin verb confidere which means to trust
Etymology Confidence derives from the Latin word confidere meaning to trust fully
Etymology Middle English confident from Late Latin confident from Latin confidere
Etymology Defiance comes from the Old French word defiance which itself is derived
Etymology The word defy originates from the Old French word desfier meaning to chal
Etymology French diffidence from Late Latin diffidentia lack of trust from diffide
Etymology The word diffident comes from the Latin word diffidere which means to dis
Etymology The word faith comes from the Latin word fides which means trust confid
Etymology The word fealty derives from the Old French word fealté which itself orig
Etymology The word federal comes from the Latin word foedus which means covenant
Etymology From Latin foederātus allied leagued from foedus treaty covenant
Etymology The word federation comes from the Latin word foederatio which means le
Etymology Fideism derives from the Latin word fides meaning faith Meaning Fidei
Etymology The word fidelity comes from the Latin word fidelitas which means faithfu
Etymology The word fiducial originates from the Latin word fiducia which means trus
Etymology Latin fiducia meaning trust confidence Proto Indo European bheudh
Etymology Latin nullificare to make void Nullus none void facere to make
Etymology Middle English perfidie from Old French perfidie from Latin perfidia from
Etymology The term solifidian comes from the Latin phrase sola fide meaning by fai
Etymology The word alliance comes from the French word alliance which itself origina
Etymology Late 16th century from French confédération or from Latin confoederatio
Etymology The word alliance comes from the French word alliance which itself origina
Etymology Keystone is derived from the Middle English word keyston which itself is f
Etymology The word congress is derived from the Latin word congressus which means
Etymology Origin Latin articulus small joint knuckle small part _ Meaning Origina
Etymology The word union derives from the Old French term union 12th century which
Etymology The word nation originates from the Latin word natio which means birth
Etymology From Middle English anointen from Old French anointer from Latin inunguere
