Par"ti*san, n. [F. pertuisane,
prob. fr. It. partigiana, influenced in French by OF.
pertuisier to pierce. It was prob. so named as the weapon of
some partisans, or party men. Cf. Partisan one of a
corps of light troops.] A kind of halberd or pike; also, a
truncheon; a staff.
And make him with our pikes and partisans a
grave.
Shak.Par"ti*san, a. [Written also
partizan.] 1. Adherent to a party or
faction; especially, having the character of blind, passionate, or
unreasonable adherence to a party; as, blinded by partisan
zeal.
2. (Mil.) Serving as a partisan in a
detached command; as, a partisan officer or corps.
Partisan ranger (Mil.), a member of a
partisan corps.
Par"ti*san (?), n. [F., fr. It.
partigiano. See Party, and cf. Partisan a
truncheon.] [Written also partizan.] 1. An
adherent to a party or faction; esp., one who is strongly and
passionately devoted to a party or an interest. "The violence of
a partisan." Macaulay.
Both sides had their partisans in the
colony.
Jefferson.
2. (Mil.) (a) The
commander of a body of detached light troops engaged in making forays
and harassing an enemy. (b) Any member of
such a corps.