partisan
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1par·ti·san

noun \ˈpär-tə-zən, -sən, -ˌzan, chiefly British ˌpär-tə-ˈzan\

Definition of PARTISAN

1
: a firm adherent to a party, faction, cause, or person; especially : one exhibiting blind, prejudiced, and unreasoning allegiance
2
a : a member of a body of detached light troops making forays and harassing an enemy
b : a member of a guerrilla band operating within enemy lines
partisan adjective
par·ti·san·ly \-lē\ adverb
par·ti·san·ship \-ˌship\ noun

Variants of PARTISAN

par·ti·san also par·ti·zan \ˈpär-tə-zən, -sən, -ˌzan, chiefly British ˌpär-tə-ˈzan\

Origin of PARTISAN

Middle French partisan, from north Italian dialect partiźan, from part part, party, from Latin part-, pars part
First Known Use: 1555

2par·ti·san

noun \ˈpär-tə-zən, -sən\

Definition of PARTISAN

: a weapon of the 16th and 17th centuries with long shaft and broad blade

Variants of PARTISAN

par·ti·san or par·ti·zan \ˈpär-tə-zən, -sən\

Origin of PARTISAN

Middle French partisane, from north Italian dialect partiźana, feminine of partiźan
First Known Use: 1556

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