federal
    adj 1: national; especially in reference to the government of
           the United States as distinct from that of its member
           units; "the Federal Bureau of Investigation"; "federal
           courts"; "the federal highway program"; "federal
           property"
    2: of or relating to the central government of a federation; "a
       federal district is one set aside as the seat of the national
       government"
    3: being of or having to do with the northern United States and
       those loyal to the Union during the American Civil War;
       "Union soldiers"; "Federal forces"; "a Federal infantryman"
       [syn: Union, Federal]
    4: characterized by or constituting a form of government in
       which power is divided between one central and several
       regional authorities; "a federal system like that of the
       United States"; "federal governments often evolved out of
       confederations" [ant: unitary]
    n 1: a member of the Union Army during the American Civil War
         [syn: Federal, Federal soldier, Union soldier]
    2: any federal law-enforcement officer [syn: Federal, Fed,
       federal official]

Federal \Fed"er*al\, n.
   See Federalist.
   [1913 Webster]

Federal \Fed"er*al\, a. [L. foedus league, treaty, compact; akin
   to fides faith: cf. F. f['e]d['e]ral. see Faith.]
   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.
      [1913 Webster]

            The Romans compelled them, contrary to all federal
            right, . . . to part with Sardinia.   --Grew.
      [1913 Webster]

   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
          Federal party. see Federalist.
          [1913 Webster]

   Federal Congress. See under Congress.
      [1913 Webster]

FEDERAL, government. This term is commonly used to express a league or 
compact between two or more states. 
     2. In the United States the central government of the Union is federal. 
The constitution was adopted "to form a more perfect union" among the 
states, for the purpose of self-protection and for the promotion of their 
mutual happiness.