Na"tion*al (?; 277), a.
[Cf. F. national.]
1. Of or
pertaining to a nation; common to a whole people or race; public; general; as, a
national government, language, dress, custom, calamity, etc.
2.
Attached to one's own country
or nation.
National anthem, a popular song or hymn
which has become by general acceptance the recognized musical expression of the patriotic sentiment of a nation; as,
"God save the King" is
called the national anthem of England. --
National bank,
the official common name of a class of banking corporations
established under the laws of the United
States. -- National flag. See under Flag. -- National guard, a body of militia, or a
local military organization, as in Paris during the French Revolution, or as certain
bodies of militia in other European countries and in the United
States. -- National salute, a salute consisting of as many guns as
there are States in the Union. [U.S.]
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