partisan Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a fervent and even militant proponent of something
    zealot; drumbeater.
  2. noun an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of some person or activity
    enthusiast; partizan.
  3. noun a pike with a long tapering double-edged blade with lateral projections; 16th and 17th centuries
    partizan.
  4. adjective devoted to a cause or party
    partizan.

WordNet

Par"ti*san noun
Etymology
F., fr. It. partigiano. See Party, and cf. Partisan a truncheon.
Definitions
  1. An adherent to a party or faction; esp., one who is strongly and passionately devoted to a party or an interest. "The violence of a partisan." Macaulay.
    Both sides had their partisans in the colony. Jefferson.
  2. (Mil.) (a) The commander of a body of detached light troops engaged in making forays and harassing an enemy. (b) Any member of such a corps.
Par"ti*san adjective
Etymology
Written also partizan.
Definitions
  1. Adherent to a party or faction; especially, having the character of blind, passionate, or unreasonable adherence to a party; as, blinded by partisan zeal.
  2. (Mil.) Serving as a partisan in a detached command; as, a partisan officer or corps.
Par"ti*san noun
Etymology
F. pertuisane, prob. fr. It. partigiana, influenced in French by OF. pertuisier to pierce. It was prob. so named as the weapon of some partisans, or party men. Cf. Partisan one of a corps of light troops.
Definitions
  1. A kind of halberd or pike; also, a truncheon; a staff.
    And make him with our pikes and partisans a grave. Shak.

Webster 1913