faction
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fac·tion

noun \ˈfak-shən\

Definition of FACTION

1
: a party or group (as within a government) that is often contentious or self-seeking : clique
2
: party spirit especially when marked by dissension
fac·tion·al \-shnəl, -shə-nəl\ adjective
fac·tion·al·ism \-shnə-ˌli-zəm, -shə-nə-ˌliz-\ noun
fac·tion·al·ly \-ē\ adverb

Examples of FACTION

  1. The committee soon split into factions.
  2. <several factions within the environmental movement have joined forces to save this wilderness area>

Origin of FACTION

Middle French & Latin; Middle French, from Latin faction-, factio act of making, faction — more at fashion
First Known Use: 1509

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with FACTION

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