Fanatic
[fə'nætɪk]
Definition
(noun.) a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm (as for a cause); 'A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject'--Winston Churchill.
(adj.) marked by excessive enthusiasm for and intense devotion to a cause or idea; 'rabid isolationist' .
Inputed by Erma--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Pertaining to, or indicating, fanaticism; extravagant in opinions; ultra; unreasonable; excessively enthusiastic, especially on religious subjects; as, fanatic zeal; fanatic notions.
(n.) A person affected by excessive enthusiasm, particularly on religious subjects; one who indulges wild and extravagant notions of religion.
Editor: Maynard
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Enthusiast (especially on religious subjects), visionary, zealot.
a. Enthusiastic, visionary, wild, mad.
Checked by Barlow
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Enthusiast, bigot, visionary, zealot
ANT:Skeptic, unbeliever, cynic
Checked by Godiva
Definition
adj. extravagantly or unreasonably zealous esp. in religion: excessively enthusiastic.—n. a person frantically or excessively enthusiastic esp. on religious subjects.—adj. Fanat′ical fanatic (Shak.) extravagant.—adv. Fanat′ically.—v.t. Fanat′icise to make fanatical.—v.i. to act as a fanatic.—n. Fanat′icism wild and excessive religious enthusiasm.
Typist: Virginia
Examples
- This desecration was not the act of some isolated fanatic; it was the official act of the church. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Therefore, a local fanatic would begin with them. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- Of the fanatic's burning eternity I have no fear: there is not a future state worse than this present one--let me break away, and go home to God! Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- Often she tried, as gently as might be, to wean him from this fanatic worship of the Muses. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Hitherto men of reason and knowledge have never had the assurance and courage of the religious fanatic. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- He was no mere religious fanatic. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- For the insurgent become master is a fanatic from the struggle, and as George Santayana says, he is only too likely to redouble his effort after he has forgotten his aim. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Who--who--who, he said, stammering with rage, who asked this impudent fanatic into the house? Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- He was a true fanatic and he had the complete Spanish lack of respect for life. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- Some fanatics among them, to be sure, held that one book, the Koran, was of itself sufficient to insure the well-being of the whole human race, but happily a more enlightened view prevailed. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- Upon this text many fanatics arose, who prophesied that the end of time was come. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- They met troops of those who had quitted the kindly protection of Adrian, and were journeying to join the fanatics. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- Matrimonial bliss is rare in the cases of gloomy fanatics. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- In reality we are witnessing a change of conscience, initiated by cranks and fanatics, sustained for a long time by minorities, which has at last infected the mass of the people. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- Success makes men rigid and they tend to exalt stability over all the other virtues; tired of the effort of willing they become fanatics about conservatism. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- An illusion, of course; but the fanatics cling to their dream, and would not give it for gold. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Surely it was deeper with them, with the Spanish religion fanatics, than it was with the people. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
Editor: Margaret