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federal

Definition

  • noun: a supporter of the government of the U.S. in the American Civil War
  • noun: a supporter of the United States government in the Civil War
  • adjective: of or relating to a form of government in which power is shared between a central government and individual states, provinces, etc.
  • adjective: of or relating to a compact or treaty
  • usually plural
  • synonyms: northern, national

Examples

  • I agree that he shouldn't have said that, but there's no reason to 'make a federal case out of' it. [='make a big deal about it']

  • Do you have to 'make a federal case out of' it every time I come home late?

  • Local police sought help from the 'federals'. [=(less formally) 'feds']

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) the Identity Processing Program of America. Please insert your forearm into the forearm receptacle. Thank you. Please speak your name as it appears on your current federal identity card... - Document number GL. - I'm not sure if... You have entered the name "Not Sure". Is this correct, Not Sure? (..)
    2006 Idiocracy