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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

  • (..) He'll operate the cameras. You ID the guys and log them. All cellphone signals are under surveillance... ...through the courtesy of our federal friends over there. Patriot Act, Patriot Act. I love it, I love it, I love it. Keep an eye on this one. All right, here we go. (..)
    2006 The Departed
  • (..) you're gonna invade Poland? You got quite the family tree. That maggot uncle of yours... ...Tommy Costigan, is another goof. He gets busted selling guns... ...to federal officers, among many, many, many other departures... - ... from our normative behavior. - And what's this got to do with me? (..)
    2006 The Departed