federation

Etymology

Borrowed from French fédération, from Late Latin foederatio, from Latin foederare; equivalent to federate + -ion.

noun

1. Act of joining together into a single political entity.
   It is 106 years since federation.
2. Array of nations or states that are unified under one central authority which is elected by its members.
3. Any society or organisation formed from separate groups or bodies.
4. (computing, telecommunications) A collection of network or telecommunication providers that offer interoperability.

adj

1. (Australia) Of an architectural style popular around the time of federation.
   We live in a federation house.
   The Federation house claimed a unique place in architecture, even if it offended architects. 2000, Donald Denoon, Philippa Mein Smith, Marivic Wyndham, A History of Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific, page 221
   Five Chimneys, 15 Maria St, T8563 0240. Comfortable accomodation in large federation house, spa, swimming pool. 2002, Andrew Swaffer, Katrina O'Brien, Darroch Donald, Australia: Handbook, page 754
   Plaster kookaburras from the 1930s would still look good in a nature-themed Federation house; h27 cm. 2010, Adrian Franklin, Collecting the 20th Century, page 27