Statal

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Of or pertaining to a state as a political entity or its institutions and governance
2. Concerning or involving the nature, functions, or characteristics of a state
3. Relating to a state in its capacity as an organized political community

Etymology: "Statal" is a straightforward formation: the noun "state" with the adjectival suffix "-al" attached, giving the sense "of or relating to a state." The suffix "-al" comes from Latin "-alis," which English took in large numbers through French and directly from Latin to form adjectives meaning "pertaining to" something, as in "national," "regional," or "federal." Adding it to "state" produces a term for matters belonging to a state as a political unit, such as statal authority or statal control.