Part of Speech-Noun

Definition-Someone or something that is getting started in a new activity

Source–http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fledgling

Encountering of Word-I read “Federalists and Republicans threatened the very existence of the fledgling american republic”

Understanding-I now understand that the author was using this word to describe how the United States was practically new and these government parties were already threatening its existence.