n. & adj. (also partizan)
n. 1 a strong, esp. unreasoning, supporter of a party, cause, etc. 2 Mil. a guerrilla in wartime.
adj. 1 of or characteristic of partisans. 2 loyal to a particular cause; biased. partisanship n.
[ F f. It. dial. partigiano etc. f. parte PART ]