Federal style Neoclassical style of American architecture and interior design that flourished 1785-1820 (later in governmental buildings) and was influenced by the Georgian style and the work of James and Robert Adam. Inspired by the Roman republic, which the new nation believed it resembled, it was especially associated with Thomas Jefferson and Ben¬ jamin H. Latrobe. Characteristics include shallow arches, slender propor¬ tions, delicate decoration, and symmetry; entrances are often framed by columns and pediments, with a fanlight over the door. The University of Virginia (1817-26) was Jefferson’s greatest Federal-style project.
federalism Political system that binds a group of states into a larger, noncentralized, superior state while allowing them to maintain their own political identities. Certain characteristics and principles are common to all successful federal systems: a written constitution or basic law stipu¬ lating the distribution of powers; diffusion of power among the constitu¬ ent elements, which are substantially self-sustaining; and territorial divisions to ensure neutrality and equality in the representation of vari¬ ous groups and interests. Changes require the consent of those affected. Successful federal systems also have a sense of common nationality and direct lines of communication between the citizens and all the govern¬ ments that serve them. Examples of modern federal systems include the U.S., Brazil, Germany, and Nigeria. See also Federalist papers; Federalist Party.
Federalist paper s formally The Federalist Eighty-five essays on the proposed Constitution of the United States and the nature of republi¬ can government, published in 1787-88 by Alexander Hamilton, James Madi¬ son, and John Jay in an effort to persuade voters of New York state to support ratification. Most of the essays first appeared serially in New York newspapers; they were reprinted in other states and then published as a book in 1788. A few of the essays were issued separately later. All were signed “Publius.” They presented a masterly exposition of the federal system and the means of attaining the ideals of justice, general welfare, and the rights of individuals.
Federalist Party Early U.S. political party that advocated a strong central government. Federalist was first used in 1787 to describe support¬ ers of the Constitution of the United States, with its emphasis on a federal union; the Federalist papers was a series of 85 papers (1787-88) published by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to persuade New York voters to ratify the Constitution. By the 1790s other policies defined the party, including Hamilton’s fiscal program, creation of a central bank, a tariff system, favourable treatment for U.S. shipping, friendship with Brit¬ ain, and neutrality in foreign affairs. The party elected John Adams as president in 1796 but was unable to organize effectively after 1801. It lost favour for its opposition to the Embargo Act and the War of 1812; an internal split by the New England faction (see Hartford Convention) fur¬ ther weakened the party. By the 1820s most of its original principles had
been adopted by the opposition Democratic Party, and the Federalist Party disappeared. Notable Federalists included John Marshall, Rufus King, Timothy Pickering, and Charles Pinckney.
fee In law, an inheritable freehold estate in real property (see real and personal property). The word derives from fief, as used in feudal law. Mod¬ ern property law includes several varieties of fee, including fee simple (alienable and of indefinite duration), fee tail (granted to an individual and his or her descendants but subject to reversion if a tenant dies with no descendants), and life fee or life estate (held only during the lifetime of the grantee).
feed Foodstuff grown or developed for livestock and poultry to maintain the health of the animals and to increase the quality of such end products as meat, milk, or eggs. Modern feeds are derived from crops grown spe¬ cifically for research or from by-products of surplus crops or foods pro¬ duced for human consumption. Feeds are categorized as either concentrates (high in digestibility of nutrients but low in fibre content) or roughages (high in fibre and comparatively low in digestive nutrients). Most diets consist of a combination of feeds.
feedback inhibition Suppression of the activity of an enzyme by a product of the sequence of reactions in which the enzyme is participat¬ ing. When the product accumulates in a cell beyond an optimal amount, it decreases its own production by inhibiting an enzyme involved in its synthesis. After the product has been used or broken down, inhibition is relaxed and formation of the product resumes. Enzymes whose ability to catalyze a reaction depends on molecules other than the substances on which they act directly are said to be under allosteric control.
feeding behaviour Any action of an animal directed toward obtain¬ ing nutrients. Each species evolves methods of searching for, obtaining, and ingesting food for which it can successfully compete. Some species eat only one type of food, others a variety. Among invertebrates food choices are instinctual, while among vertebrates they are learned.
Feiffer, Jules (b. Jan. 26, 1929, New York, N.Y., U.S.) U.S. cartoonist and dramatist. Feiffer learned his trade while assisting comic-strip artists. He became famous for Feiffer, a satirical strip whose verbal elements are usually monologues in which the speaker (sometimes pathetic, sometimes pompous) exposes his or her own insecurities. His drawings, syndicated from 1959, are collected in books beginning with Sick, Sick, Sick (1958). In 1986 he received a Pulitzer Prize. His plays, including Little Murders (1967; film, 1971), also blend farce and social criticism. His other works include novels, screenplays (including Carnal Knowledge, 1971), and, in the 1990s, children’s books.
Feininger Vfi-niq-orN, Andreas (Bernhard Lyonel) (b. Dec. 27, 1906, Paris, Fr.—d. Feb. 18, 1999, New York, N.Y., U.S.) French-bom U.S. photographer and writer. Son of painter Lyonel Feininger, he gradu¬ ated from the Bauhaus in 1925. After studying architecture, he moved to Sweden in 1933 and established a firm specializing in architectural and industrial photography. Among his best-known works are his richly detailed black-and-white views of New York City, which he achieved through experimental techniques and devices that he pioneered through¬ out his career. He also took many photographs of natural objects, such as shells, trees, and bones. In 1939 he settled in New York, and from 1943 to 1962 he worked for Life magazine. He also wrote prolifically on pho¬ tographic technique.
Feininger Vfi-niq-oiA, Lyonel (Charles Adrian) (b. July 17, 1871, New York, N.Y., U.S.—-d. Jan. 13, 1956, New York City) U.S.-born Ger¬ man painter. He went to Germany in 1887 to study music but ended up studying painting instead. Around 1910, under the influence of Cubism, he developed a unique style, using prismatic interpenetrating planes of colour to depict architectural and marine subjects. He exhibited with Der Blaue Reiter in Berlin in 1913 and was later an influential teacher at the Bauhaus (1919-33). His work was a synthesis of art, science, and technology; he is noted for introducing compositional discipline and lyrical colour to German Expressionism. After the Nazis came to power, he returned to the U.S. He was the father of photographer Andreas Feininger.