[fac.tion] n [MF & L; MF, fr. L faction-, factio act of making, faction--more at fashion] (1509) 1: a party or group (as within a government) that is often contentious or self-seeking: clique
2: party spirit esp. when marked by dissension -- fac.tion.al adj -- fac.tion.al.ism n -- fac.tion.al.ly adv