Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Partisan
Par′ti-san
(pär′tĭ-zan)
, Noun.
[Written also
partizan
.] 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
,Adj.
[Written also
partizan
.] 1.
Adherent to a party or faction; especially, having the character of blind, passionate, or unreasonable adherence to a party;
as, blinded by
. partisan
zeal2.
(Mil.)
Serving as a partisan in a detached command;
as, a
. partisan
officer or corpsPartisan ranger
(Mil.)
, a member of a partisan corps.
Par′ti-san
,Noun.
[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.] A kind of halberd or pike; also, a truncheon; a staff.
And make him with our pikes and
partisans
a grave. Shakespeare
Webster 1828 Edition
Partisan
P`ARTISAN
,Noun.
1.
An adherent to a party or faction.2.
In war, the commander of a party or detachment of troops, sent on a special enterprise hence,3.
By way of distinction, a person able in commanding a party, or dexterous in obtaining intelligence, intercepting convoys or otherwise annoying an enemy.4.
A commander's leading staff.5.
A kind of halbert.