Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Federal
Fed′er-al
,Adj.
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.
The Romans compelled them, contrary to all
federal
right, . . . to part with Sardinia. Grew.
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
. see Federal
partyFederalist
. Federal Congress
. See under
Congress
.Webster 1828 Edition
Federal
FED'ERAL
,Adj.
1.
Pertaining to a league or contract; derived from an agreement or covenant between parties, particularly between nations.The Romans, contrary to federal right, compelled them to part with Sardinia.
2.
Consisting in a compact between parties, particularly and chiefly between states or nations; founded on alliance by contract or mutual agreement; as a federal government, such as that of the United States.3.
Friendly to the constitution of the United States. [See the Noun.]