Confederation
Pronunciation : Con*fed`er*a"tion
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [L. confoederatio: cf. F. conf?d?ration.]
Definition : 1. The act of confederating; a league; a compact for mutual support; alliance, particulary of princes, nations, or states. The three princes enter into some strict league and confederation among themselves. Bacon. This was no less than a political confederation of the colonies of New England. Palfrey.
2. The parties that are confederated, considered as a unit; a confederacy. Articles of confederation. See under Article.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913