资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Confederacy \Con*fed"er*a*cy\, n.; pl. {Confederacies}. [From
   {Confederate}, a.]
   1. A league or compact between two or more persons, bodies of
      men, or states, for mutual support or common action;
      alliance.

            The friendships of the world are oft Confederacies
            in vice or leagues of pleasure.       --Addison.

            He hath heard of our confederacy.     --Shak.

            Virginia promoted a confederacy.      --Bancroft.

   2. The persons, bodies, states, or nations united by a
      league; a confederation.

            The Grecian common wealth, . . . the most heroic
            confederacy that ever existed.        --Harris.

            Virgil has a whole confederacy against him.
                                                  --Dryden.

   3. (Law) A combination of two or more persons to commit an
      unlawful act, or to do a lawful act by unlawful means. See
      {Conspiracy}.

   Syn: League; compact; alliance; association; union;
        combination; confederation.