Faction
['fækʃ(ə)n] or ['fækʃən]
Definition
(n.) One of the divisions or parties of charioteers (distinguished by their colors) in the games of the circus.
(n.) 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.
(n.) Tumult; discord; dissension.
Typist: Marcus
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Combination (against a government), cabal, junto, clique, party. [2]. Tumult, discord, dissension, disagreement.
Checked by Bertrand
Synonyms and Antonyms
[See CABAL]
Typist: Nelda
Definition
n. a company of persons associated or acting together mostly used in a bad sense: a contentious party in a state or society: dissension.—adj. Fac′tional.—ns. Fac′tionary a member of a faction; Fac′tionist.—adj. Fac′tious turbulent: disloyal.—adv. Fac′tiously.—n. Fac′tiousness.
Typed by Hiram
Examples
- Sir Leicester is whipped in to the rescue of the Doodle Party and the discomfiture of the Coodle Faction. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- In its incipience at least it is evident that the Royal Society was filled with the spirit of tolerance and co?pera tion, and was singularly free from the spirit of envy and faction. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- Times of violent religious controversy have generally been times of equally violent political faction. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- The other guests were now fast dispersing, with the exception of those immediately attached to Prince John's faction, and his retinue. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- After each uprising the victors usually banished a great number of the defeated faction from the city. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- Not in a land of war and blood, surrounded by hostile neighbours, and distracted by internal factions, can Israel hope to rest during her wanderings. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Civil disturbance had become a custom in Athens; the fortunes of the city seemed given over to strife of factions. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Among the officers of the Xavarian I thought I could discern division into factions ere we had reached Helium. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- The good temper and moderation of contending factions seem to be the most essential circumstances in the public morals of a free people. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- Inconsistent: yes, he tried to be the leader of factions at war with one another. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Parliament was divided by three factions, aristocrats, democrats, and royalists. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- Everybody in the town was ranged in one or other of these factions. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
Typist: Veronica