Par"ti*san (?), n. [F., fr. It. partigiano. See Party, and cf. Partisan a truncheon.] [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.
© Webster 1913.
Par"ti*san, a. [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 zeal.
2. Mil.
Serving as a partisan in a detached command; as, a partisan officer or corps.
Partisan ranger Mil., a member of a partisan corps.
© Webster 1913.
Par"ti*san, n. [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.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.