WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Na"tion*al
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [Cf. F. national.]
Definition : 1. Of or pertaining to a nation; common to a whole people or race; public; general; as, a national government, language, dress, custom, calamity, etc.

2. Attached to one's own country or nation. National anthem, a popular song or hymn which has become by general acceptance the recognized musical expression of the patriotic sentiment of a nation; as, "God save the King" is called the national anthem of England. -- National bank, the official common name of a class of banking corporations established under the laws of the United States. -- National flag. See under Flag. -- National guard, a body of militia, or a local military organization, as in Paris during the French Revolution, or as certain bodies of militia in other European countries and in the United States. -- National salute, a salute consisting of as many guns as there are States in the Union. [U.S.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913