partisan

¹ American  

[pahr-tuh-zuhn, -suhn, pahr-tuh-zan] / ˈpɑr tə zən, -sən, ˌpɑr təˈzæn /

Sometimes partizan

noun

1. an adherent or supporter of a person, group, party, or cause, especially a person who shows a biased, emotional allegiance.

   Antonyms:

   opponent

2. Military. a member of a party of light or irregular troops engaged in harassing an enemy, especially a member of a guerrilla band engaged in fighting or sabotage against an occupying army.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of partisans; partial to a specific party, person, etc..

   partisan politics.

   Synonyms:

   prejudiced, biased

2. of, relating to, or carried on by military partisans or guerrillas.

partisan ² American  

[pahr-tuh-zuhn, -suhn] / ˈpɑr tə zən, -sən /

Also partizan

noun

1. a shafted weapon of the 16th and 17th centuries, having as a head a long spear blade with a pair of curved lobes at the base.

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partisan ¹ British  

/ ˈpɑːtɪˌzæn, ˌpɑːtɪˈzæn /

noun

1. an adherent or devotee of a cause, party, etc

2. 1. a member of an armed resistance group within occupied territory, esp in Italy or the Balkans in World War II

   2. ( as modifier )

      partisan forces

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a partisan

2. relating to or excessively devoted to one party, faction, etc; one-sided

   partisan control

partisan ² British  

/ ˈpɑːtɪzən /

noun

1. a spear or pike with two opposing axe blades or spikes

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Related Words

See follower.

Other Word Forms

• partisanry noun
• partisanship noun

Etymology

Origin of partisan¹

First recorded in 1545–55; from Middle French, from Upper Italian parteźan (Tuscan partigiano ), equivalent to part(e) “faction, part” ( part ) + -eźan (from unattested Vulgar Latin -ēs- adjective suffix of place ( -ese ) + Latin -iānus adjective suffix ( -ian )

Origin of partisan²

1550–60; < Middle French partizane < Upper Italian parteźana, probably by ellipsis from (unattested) arma parteźana “weapon borne by members of a faction”; partisan ¹

Example Sentences

Today, approaching the end of his second term, Touadéra is seen as a far more political and partisan figure.

From BBC

“I don’t understand the concern that simply because one person was involved in seemingly partisan activities, that they would always be partisan in all endeavors.”

From MarketWatch

Hassett’s loyalty is “to my judgment, which I think the president trusts, and the firm commitment to not being partisan,” he said.

From Barron's

He said he would instead rely on his own “judgment, which I think the president trusts, and the firm commitment to not being partisan.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The Buddy Holly glasses are not a partisan message.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• backer
• defender
• devotee
• follower
• stalwart
• supporter
• sympathizer
• zealot