Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Fanatic
Fa-nat′ic
,Adj.
[L.
fanaticus
inspired by divinity, enthusiastic, frantic, fr. fanum
fane: cf. F. fanatique
. See Fane
.] Pertaining to, or indicating, fanaticism; extravagant in opinions; ultra; unreasonable; excessively enthusiastic, especially on religious subjects;
as,
fanatic
zeal; fanatic
notions.But Faith,
To some dear falsehood, hugs it to the last.
fanatic
Faith, once wedded fastTo some dear falsehood, hugs it to the last.
T. Moore.
Fa-nat′ic
,Noun.
A person affected by excessive enthusiasm, particularly on religious subjects; one who indulges wild and extravagant notions of religion.
There is a new word, coined within few months, called
fanatics
, which, by the close stickling thereof, seemeth well cut out and proportioned to signify what is meant thereby, even the sectaries of our age. Fuller (1660).
Fanatics
are governed rather by imagination than by judgment. Stowe.