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.]