Confederacy /(?)/

pl. Confederacies

1. A league or compact between two or more persons, bodies of men, or states, for mutual support or common action; alliance.

   The friendships of the world are oft Confederacies in vice or leagues of pleasure.

   He hath heard of our confederacy.

   Virginia promoted a confederacy.

2. The persons, bodies, states, or nations united by a league; a confederation.

   The Grecian common wealth, . . . the most heroic confederacy that ever existed.

   Virgil has a whole confederacy against him.

3. A combination of two or more persons to commit an unlawful act, or to do a lawful act by unlawful means. See Conspiracy. (Law)

1. With the, the Confederate States of America. (Amer. Hist.)