confederate

1.

/kənˈfɛdərət/

united in a league

2.

/kənˈfɛdəˌreɪt/

form a group or unite

Other forms: confederates; confederated; confederating

A confederate is an ally — someone who's on your side. Your brother, the artist, might be your only confederate in your goal of studying modern dance in Paris this summer.

A confederate is anyone who supports you and works toward the same goal with you. When it is used in the context of government or politics, it means "united by a treaty," like two countries that have joined forces against a third. When the first letter is capitalized, Confederate refers to the southern United States during the Civil War, which were confederates in their fight to secede from the rest of the country.

Definitions of confederate (/kənˈfɛdərət/)

1. adjective

   united in a confederacy or league
   synonyms: allied, confederative

   united

   characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
2. noun

   a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan (especially an unethical or illegal plan)
   synonyms: accomplice

   types:

   decoy, steerer

   a beguiler who leads someone into danger (usually as part of a plot)

   roper

   a decoy who lures customers into a gambling establishment (especially one with a fixed game)

   shill

   a decoy who acts as an enthusiastic customer in order to stimulate the participation of others

   type of:

   assistant, help, helper, supporter

   a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose
3. noun

   someone who assists in a plot
   synonyms: collaborator, henchman, partner in crime

   type of:

   accessary, accessory

   someone who helps another person commit a crime