[par.ti.san] also par.ti.zan n [MF partisan, fr. OIt partigiano, fr. parte part, party, fr. L part-, pars part] (1555) 1: a firm adherent to a party, faction, cause, or person; esp: one exhibiting blind, prejudiced, and unreasoning allegiance
2. a: a member of a body of detached light troops making forays and harassing an enemy b: a member of a guerrilla band operating within enemy lines syn see follower -- partisan adj -- par.ti.san.ly adv -- par.ti.san.ship n
[2]par.ti.san or par.ti.zan n [MF partisane, fr. OIt partigiana, fem. of partigiano] (1556): a weapon of the 16th and 17th centuries with long shaft and broad blade