Search Result for "federal": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (2)

1. a member of the Union Army during the American Civil War;
[syn: Federal, Federal soldier, Union soldier]

2. any federal law-enforcement officer;
[syn: Federal, Fed, federal official]


ADJECTIVE (4)

1. national; especially in reference to the government of the United States as distinct from that of its member units;
- Example: "the Federal Bureau of Investigation"
- Example: "federal courts"
- Example: "the federal highway program"
- Example: "federal property"

2. of or relating to the central government of a federation;
- Example: "a federal district is one set aside as the seat of the national government"

3. being of or having to do with the northern United States and those loyal to the Union during the American Civil War;
- Example: "Union soldiers"
- Example: "Federal forces"
- Example: "a Federal infantryman"
[syn: Union, Federal]

4. characterized by or constituting a form of government in which power is divided between one central and several regional authorities;
- Example: "a federal system like that of the United States"
- Example: "federal governments often evolved out of confederations"



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Federal \Fed"er*al\, n.
   See Federalist.
   [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Federal \Fed"er*al\, a. [L. foedus league, treaty, compact; akin
   to fides faith: cf. F. f['e]d['e]ral. see Faith.]
   1. Pertaining to a league or treaty; derived from an
      agreement or covenant between parties, especially between
      nations; constituted by a compact between parties, usually
      governments or their representatives.
      [1913 Webster]

            The Romans compelled them, contrary to all federal
            right, . . . to part with Sardinia.   --Grew.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Specifically:
      (a) Composed of states or districts which retain only a
          subordinate and limited sovereignty, as the Union of
          the United States, or the Sonderbund of Switzerland.
      (b) Consisting or pertaining to such a government; as, the
          Federal Constitution; a Federal officer.
      (c) Friendly or devoted to such a government; as, the
          Federal party. see Federalist.
          [1913 Webster]

   Federal Congress. See under Congress.
      [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

federal
    adj 1: national; especially in reference to the government of
           the United States as distinct from that of its member
           units; "the Federal Bureau of Investigation"; "federal
           courts"; "the federal highway program"; "federal
           property"
    2: of or relating to the central government of a federation; "a
       federal district is one set aside as the seat of the national
       government"
    3: being of or having to do with the northern United States and
       those loyal to the Union during the American Civil War;
       "Union soldiers"; "Federal forces"; "a Federal infantryman"
       [syn: Union, Federal]
    4: characterized by or constituting a form of government in
       which power is divided between one central and several
       regional authorities; "a federal system like that of the
       United States"; "federal governments often evolved out of
       confederations" [ant: unitary]
    n 1: a member of the Union Army during the American Civil War
         [syn: Federal, Federal soldier, Union soldier]
    2: any federal law-enforcement officer [syn: Federal, Fed,
       federal official]