revanchist

[ruh-van-chist, -vahn-shist]

noun

an advocate or supporter of a political policy of revanche, especially in order to seek vengeance for a previous military defeat.

adjective

of or relating to a political policy of revanche.
of or relating to revanchists or revanchism.

Origin of revanchist

1925–30; < French revanchiste; see revanche, -ist

Related formsre·vanch·ism, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for revanchism

revanchism

noun

a foreign policy aimed at revenge or the regaining of lost territories
desire or support for such a policy

Derived Formsrevanchist, noun, adjective

Word Origin for revanchism

C20: from French revanche revenge

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for revanchism

revanchist

"a German seeking to avenge Germany's defeat in World War I and recover lost territory," 1926 (on model of French revanchiste, used in reference to those seeking to reverse the results of the defeat of France by Prussia in 1871), from revanche "revenge, requital," especially in reference to a national policy seeking return of lost territory, from French revanche "revenge," from Middle French revenche, back-formation from revenchier (see revenge (v.)). Related: Revanchism (1954).