federal English · revision 3461

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1645|origins=la foedus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈfed.ər.əl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is formed from Latin [[m|la|foedus|t=covenant, league, treaty]], genitive foederis, and [[-al]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002)^(COED 2004) perhaps through French [[m|fr|fédéral]].^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) Latin ''foedus'' is related to [[m|la|fīdere|t=to trust]] and [[m|la|fidēs|t=faith]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MW Collegiate)^(Cresswell 2021) from [[ine-pro|*bʰeydʰ-|alt=*bheidh-|t=to trust, confide]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) Barnhart notes that the English spelling ''federal'' is recorded in 1737, earlier than the French.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In theology, relating to the covenants between God and man: 1645, as ''foederal'',^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) or the 1640s.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “Pertaining to a covenant or treaty” in general is from 1660,^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate) and the political sense, “formed by agreement among independent states”, from 1707,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) from phrases such as ''federal union'', popularized in the formation of the United States in 1776–87.^(Etymonline) Word Origins notes that it was first used of the United States government at the Continental Congress in 1783.^(Cresswell 2021) “Favouring a strong central government” is from 1788,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and ''federal'' as opposed to ''confederate'' came to mean a state whose central authority is independent within its sphere.^(Etymonline) The Northern side in the American Civil War is ''Federal'' from 1861.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1645 – theological, of covenants.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1707 – of a union of states.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1783 – of the United States government.^(Cresswell 2021)

+ * 1788 – favouring central government.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1861 – the Union side in the Civil War.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of a form of government in which states unite under a central authority while keeping some powers of their own.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # Of the central government of such a union, as distinct from its states.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(often Federal)'' Supporting the Union in the American Civil War.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(theology)'' Relating to God's covenants with humankind.^(SOED 2002)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A supporter of the Union, especially a Union soldier, in the American Civil War.^(AHD)

+ # ''(US)'' A federal agent or official.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[federally]]

+ * [[federalness]]

+ * [[confederal]]

+ * [[federalese]]

+ * [[federalism]]

+ * [[Federalist]]

+ * [[federalization]]

+ * [[federalize]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[federation]]

+ * [[confederate]]

+ * [[faith]]

+ * [[fidelity]]

+ * [[fiancé]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}