Federal
/ˈfɛd.ər.əl/noun
Relating to a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent units.
Did you know?The term 'federal' traces back to a concept of 'covenant' or 'contract', suggesting that governance is fundamentally built on agreements between parties, echoing ancient rituals of oath-taking.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰe-
“to set, put, or place, often in terms of establishing bonds.”
Latin
Latin
foedus
“a pact or treaty, often implying a formal agreement or bond between parties.”
Old French
Old French
federal
“pertaining to a league or alliance, especially among states or regions.”
15th Century
Middle English
federal
“relating to a confederation or a league formed for mutual support.”
Modern English
English
federal
“pertaining to a system of government where power is shared between a central authority and smaller political units.”