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.

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, 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.

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.

• An adherent to a party or faction; esp., one who is strongly and passionately devoted to a party or an interest.
  
• The commander of a body of detached light troops engaged in making forays and harassing an enemy.
  
• Any member of such troops.
  
• A kind of halberd or pike; also, a truncheon; a staff.
  
• A fervent, sometimes militant supporter or proponent of a party, cause, faction, person, or idea.
  
• Adherent to a party or faction; especially, having the character of blind, passionate, or unreasonable adherence to a party; as, blinded by partisan zeal.
  
• Serving as a partisan in a detached command; as, a partisan officer or corps.
  
• Devoted to or biased in support of a party, group, or cause: partisan politics.