— irredentism , n.
/ir'i den"tist/ , n.
1. ( usually cap. ) a member of an Italian association that became prominent in 1878, advocating the redemption, or the incorporation into Italy, of certain neighboring regions (Italia irredenta) having a primarily Italian population.
2. a member of a party in any country advocating the acquisition of some region included in another country by reason of cultural, historical, ethnic, racial, or other ties.
adj.
3. pertaining to or supporting such a party or its doctrine.
[ 1880-85; irredentista, equiv. to ( Italia ) irredent ( a ) (Italy) unredeemed (fem. of irredento, equiv. to ir- IR- 2 + redento redemptus; see REDEMPTION) + -ista -IST ]