Main Entry: con·fed·er·a·cy

Pronunciation: \kən-ˈfe-d(ə-)rə-sē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural con·fed·er·a·cies

Date: 14th century

1 : a league or compact for mutual support or common action : alliance
2 : a combination of persons for unlawful purposes : conspiracy
3 : the body formed by persons, states, or nations united by a league; specifically capitalized : the 11 southern states seceding from the United States in 1860 and 1861