filibuster

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noun fil·i·bus·ter \ˈfi-lə-ˌbə-stər\

Definition of filibuster

1 : an irregular military adventurer; specifically : an American engaged in fomenting insurrections in Latin America in the mid-19th century
2 [²filibuster] a : the use of extreme dilatory (see dilatory 1) tactics (as by making long speeches) in an attempt to delay or prevent action especially in a legislative assemblyb : an instance of this practice The filibuster delayed the voting on the bill for over a week.

Spanish filibustero, literally, freebooter

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First Known Use: 1851

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verb fil·i·bus·ter

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play \ˈfi-lə-ˌbə-st(ə-)riŋ\

play \ˈfi-lə-ˌbə-stər-ər\ noun

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First Known Use: 1851

See Words from the same year

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noun

: an effort to prevent action in a legislature (such as the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives) by making a long speech or series of speeches

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noun fil·i·bus·ter \ˈfi-lə-ˌbəs-tər\

: the use of extreme dilatory tactics in an attempt to delay or prevent action especially in a legislative assembly; also : an instance of this practice