I. ˈleftə̇st noun
( -s )
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: left (II) + -ist
1. : a member of a group (as a political party) belonging to the Left
the United Front of Leftists … obtained 25 seats — American Scholar
leftists, encouraged by their success in Sunday's general election — New York Herald-Tribune
2. : one that believes in or advocates principles associated with the Left : radical
contrary to the opinion of romanticists and leftists — L.L.Sharkey
many … unaffiliated leftists were at one time Communists or Communist sympathizers — Granville Hicks
II. adjective
Usage: often capitalized
1. : of, relating to, or favoring the Left or a group belonging to the Left
the Leftist ticket … would be certain of 238 of the 473 seats — New York Herald-Tribune
leftist elements … have taken a leading part in the nationalist movements — A.H.McDonald
2. : favoring, characterized by, or based upon the principles of the Left
the leftist … movement of this generation — Lillian Symes
the present leftist attitude of the … administration — M.K.Hart