groupuscule

noun

grou·​pus·​cule grü-ˈpə-ˌskyül How to pronounce groupuscule (audio)
: a small group of political activists

Examples of groupuscule in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The romantic was at the fore in his literary criticism but also played a role in his political writing, particularly in his nostalgic view of his youthful activism in a Trotskyist groupuscule at Oxford. Christian Lorentzen, Harper’s Magazine , 20 July 2022 The head of the Policy Unit, Munira Mirza, is a former member of the Revolutionary Communist Party, a Trotskyite groupuscule, and enthusiastic contributor to its house organ, Living Marxism. The Economist, 22 Aug. 2019 See the special issue of Patterns of Prejudice 36:3 (July 2002) on radical right groupuscules, put together by Roger Griffin. 8. Robert O. Paxton, Slate Magazine, 6 Apr. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'groupuscule.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from groupe group + -uscule (as in corpuscule corpuscle)

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of groupuscule was in 1963

Dictionary Entries Near groupuscule

Cite this Entry

“Groupuscule.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/groupuscule. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

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