/ ˈfækʃn; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C ] a small group of people within a larger one whose members have some different aims and beliefs to those of the larger group :
rival factions within the administration
2.
[ U ] opposition, disagreement, etc. that exists between small groups of people within an organization or political party :
a party divided by faction and intrigue
3.
[ U ] films / movies, books, etc. that combine fact with fiction (= imaginary events)
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WORD ORIGIN
senses 1 to 2 late 15th cent. (denoting the action of doing or making something): via French from Latin factio(n-) , from facere do, make.
sense 3 1960s: blend of fact and fiction .