| 释义 |
fed·er·al
I. \ˈfed(ə)rəl\ adjective
Etymology: Latin foeder-, foedus league, compact + English -al; akin to Latin fides faith — more at faith
1.
a. : of or relating to a compact, league, or treaty; especially : of, relating to, or derived from a compact between states which by the terms of the compact surrender their general sovereignty and consolidate into a new state
< a federal union >
b. : of, relating to, or expressing a covenant between God and the human race or its members, especially the covenant of works and the covenant of grace — compare federal theology
2.
a. : of or relating to a state formed by the consolidation of several states which retain limited residuary powers of government under the common sovereignty of the new state : being or befitting such a state
< some federal states have political parties peculiar to one area >
b. : of, characterized by, or constituting a form of government in which power is distributed among a number of constituent territorial units
< federal governments often evolved out of leagues or confederations — C.J.Friedrich >
< a federal system >
c. often capitalized : of or relating to the central government of a nation having the character of a federation as distinguished from the governments of the constituent units (as states or provinces)
3. usually capitalized : advocating or friendly to the principle of a federal government with strong centralized powers; especially : of or relating to the American Federalists
4. often capitalized : of, relating to, or loyal to the federal government or the Union armies of the United States in the American Civil War
5. usually capitalized : being or belonging to a style of architecture and decoration current in the United States following the Revolution and before the period of Classic Revival
6. of a British university : consisting of an association of colleges that function to a very large degree as independent units
• fed·er·al·ly \-rəlē, -li\ adverb
II. noun
(-s)
Usage: usually capitalized
1. : a supporter of the government of the United States in the Civil War; specifically : a soldier in the federal armies
< Federals and Confederates lie buried together >
2. : a federal agent or officer |