Definition of partisan
1 : a firm adherent to a party, faction, cause, or person; especially : one exhibiting blind, prejudiced, and unreasoning allegiance political partisans who see only one side of the problem
2a : a member of a body of detached light troops making forays and harassing an enemy Peasant partisans assaulted the French army.b : a member of a guerrilla band operating within enemy lines Polish partisans had blown up two trains — Springfield (Mass.) Union
partisan
adjectiveIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
partisan and Politics
A partisan is someone who supports one part or party. Sometimes the support takes the form of military action, as when guerrilla fighters take on government forces. But partisan is actually most often used as an adjective, usually referring to support of a political party. so if you're accused of being too partisan, or of practicing partisan politics, it means you're mainly interested in boosting your own party and attacking the other one.
Origin and Etymology of partisan
Middle French partisan, from north Italian dialect partiźan, from part part, party, from Latin part-, pars part
Synonym Discussion of partisan
Origin and Etymology of partisan
Middle French partisane, from north Italian dialect partiźana, feminine of partiźan
PARTISAN Defined for Kids
partisan
playDefinition of partisan for Students
: a person who strongly supports something or someone I'm a partisan of the governor.
partisanship
\-ˌship\ nounLearn More about partisan
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See words that rhyme with partisan Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for partisan Spanish Central: Translation of partisan Nglish: Translation of partisan for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of partisan for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about partisan
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