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Definition partisan

Etymology 1

From French partisan, from Italian partigiano (“defender of a party”), from parte (“part”). English from the mid-16th century. The sense of "guerilla fighter" is from c. 1690. The adjective in the military sense dates from the early 18th century, in the political sense since 1842.

Noun

partisan (plural partisans)

1. An adherent to a party or faction.
2. A fervent, sometimes militant, supporter or proponent of a party, cause, faction, person, or idea.
3. A member of a band of detached light, irregular troops acting behind occupying enemy lines in the ways of harassment or sabotage; a guerrilla fighter
4. (now rare) The commander of a body of detached light troops engaged in making forays and harassing an enemy.

Adjective

partisan (comparative more partisan, superlative most partisan)

1. Serving as commander or member of a body of detached light troops: as, a partisan officer or corps.
2. Adherent to a party or faction; especially, having the character of blind, passionate, or unreasonable adherence to a party
3. Devoted to or biased in support of a party, group, or cause: partisan politics.

Etymology 2

From Middle French partizaine, partisanne et al., from Italian partigiana, related to Etymology 1 above (apparently because it was seen as a typical weapon of such forces).

Noun

partisan (plural partisans)

1. (historical) A long-handled spear with a triangular, double-edged blade having lateral projections, in some forms also used in boar hunting. Obsolescent after the 17th century until revived by Sir Walter Scott.
2. (obsolete) A soldier armed with such a weapon.

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