Definitions for: Partisan


[n] a pike with a long tapering double-edged blade with lateral projections; 16th and 17th centuries
[n] an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of some person or activity
[n] a fervent and even militant proponent of something
[adj] devoted to a cause or party
[adj] affiliated with one party or faction
[adj] adhering or confined to a particular sect or denomination or party; "denominational prejudice"



Webster (1913) Definition: Par"ti*san, n. [F., fr. It. partigiano. See Party,
and cf. Partisan a truncheon.] [Written also partizan.]
1. An adherent to a party or faction; esp., one who is
strongly and passionately devoted to a party or an
interest. ``The violence of a partisan.'' --Macaulay.

Both sides had their partisans in the colony.
--Jefferson.

2. (Mil.)
(a) The commander of a body of detached light troops
engaged in making forays and harassing an enemy.
(b) Any member of such a corps.


Par"ti*san, a. [Written also partizan.]
1. Adherent to a party or faction; especially, having the
character of blind, passionate, or unreasonable adherence
to a party; as, blinded by partisan zeal.

2. (Mil.) Serving as a partisan in a detached command; as, a
partisan officer or corps.

Partisan ranger (Mil.), a member of a partisan corps.


Par"ti*san, n. [F. pertuisane, prob. fr. It.
partigiana, influenced in French by OF. pertuisier to pierce.
It was prob. so named as the weapon of some partisans, or
party men. Cf. Partisan one of a corps of light troops.]
A kind of halberd or pike; also, a truncheon; a staff.

And make him with our pikes and partisans a grave.
--Shak.

Synonyms: aligned, biased, denominational, enthusiast, guerilla(a), guerrilla(a), irregular, one-sided, partizan, partizan, partizan, party(a), party-spirited, sectarian, tendencious, tendentious, underground, zealot

Antonyms: nonpartisan, nonpartizan

See Also: addict, admirer, advocate, advocator, backslapper, balletomane, bigot, booster, champion, doctrinaire, dogmatist, exponent, fan, fanatic, fiend, freak, friend, gadgeteer, nut, pike, proponent, protagonist, shutterbug, sports fan, supporter

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