Definition of partisan

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< parti pris

partisan >

par·ti·san ¹    (pärt-zn) KEY  

NOUN:

1. A fervent, sometimes militant supporter or proponent of a party, cause, faction, person, or idea.
2. A member of an organized body of fighters who attack or harass an enemy, especially within occupied territory; a guerrilla.

ADJECTIVE:

1. Of, relating to, or characteristic of a partisan or partisans.
2. Devoted to or biased in support of a party, group, or cause: partisan politics.

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ETYMOLOGY:
French, from Old French, from Old Italian dialectal partisano, variant of Old Italian partigiano, from parte, part, from Latin pars , part- ; see part

OTHER FORMS:
parti·san·ship (Noun)

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