Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Faction
Fac′tion
(făk′shŭn)
, Noun.
1.
(Anc. Hist.)
One of the divisions or parties of charioteers (distinguished by their colors) in the games of the circus.
2.
A party, in political society, combined or acting in union, in opposition to the government, or state; – usually applied to a minority, but it may be applied to a majority; a combination or clique of partisans of any kind, acting for their own interests, especially if greedy, clamorous, and reckless of the common good.
Webster 1828 Edition
Faction
FAC'TION
,Noun.
1.
A party, in political society, combined or acting in union, in opposition to the prince, government or state; usually applied to a minority, but it may be applied to a majority. sometimes a state is divided into factions nearly equal. Rome was almost always disturbed by factions. Republics are proverbial for factions, and factions in monarchies have often effected revolutions.A feeble government produces more factions than an oppressive one.
By a faction, I understand a number of citizens, whether amounting to a majority or minority of the whole, who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community.
2.
Tumult; discord; dissension.Definition 2024
faction
faction
English
Noun
faction (plural factions)
- A group of people, especially within a political organization, which expresses a shared belief or opinion different from people who are not part of the group.
- 1748, David Hume, “Of Parties in General — How factions arise and contend.”, in Essays, Moral and Political:
- Real factions may be divided into those from interest, from principle, and from affection
-
- Strife; discord.
- 1805, Johann Georg Cleminius, Englisches Lesebuch für Kaufleute, pg. 188:
- Publick [sic] affairs soon fell into the utmost confusion, and in this state of faction and perplexity, the island continued, until its re-capture by the French in 1779.
- 2001, Odd Magne Bakke, "Concord and Peace": A Rhetorical Analysis of the First Letter of Clement With an Emphasis on the Language of Unity and Sedition, publ. Mohr Siebeck, ISBN 3161476379, pg. 89:
- He asks the audience if they believe that they will be more loved by the gods if the city is in a state of faction than if they govern the city with good order and concord.
- 1805, Johann Georg Cleminius, Englisches Lesebuch für Kaufleute, pg. 188:
Derived terms
Related terms
Terms etymologically related to faction (etymology 1)
Translations
group of people
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strife
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See also
Etymology 2
Noun
faction (plural factions)
- A form of literature, film etc., that treats real people or events as if they were fiction; a mix of fact and fiction
Derived terms
Related terms
See also
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Non-fiction novel on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
French
Etymology
Borrowing from Latin factiō, factiōnem. Compare façon, which is inherited rather than borrowed.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /faksjɔ̃/
Noun
faction f (plural factions)
- act of keeping watch
- a watchman
- (politics) a faction; specifically one which causes trouble