FACTION • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Faction

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/fˈækʃən/ Listen

noun

Faction n.

(Anc. Hist.) One of the divisions or parties of charioteers (distinguished by their colors) in the games of the circus.

A party, in political society, combined or acting in union, in opposition to the government, or state; usually applied to a minority, but it may be applied to a majority; a combination or clique of partisans of any kind, acting for their own interests, especially if greedy, clamorous, and reckless of the common good.

Tumult; discord; dissension. "They remained at Newbury in great faction among themselves."

Synonyms: Combination; clique; junto. See Cabal.

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Etymology of 'Faction'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Faction" Quotes from Famous Books

... in the strangest uncertainties respecting the marriage of Mademoiselle Cormon. A party of unbelievers denied the marriage altogether; the believers, on the other hand, affirmed it. At the end of two weeks, the faction of unbelief received a vigorous blow in the sale of du Bousquier's house to the Marquis de Troisville, who only wanted a simple establishment in Alencon, intending to go to Paris after the death of the Princess Scherbellof; he proposed to await that inheritance in retirement, ...

— The Jealousies of a Country Town • Honore de Balzac

... whole appearance suggests an eighteenth century print. As the original was duly licensed, there was no reason to suppress the names of printer or booksellers. Nor could the contents of the piece call out controversy or hostility from any political faction or religious following. It was proper for the author to omit his name from the publication, if he desired to remain unknown; but the publisher, having the support of the licenser, had every reason to advertise his connexion with the tract, although he could not have anticipated so ready ...

— The Isle Of Pines (1668) - and, An Essay in Bibliography by W. C. Ford • Henry Neville

... theory may be in the main, it certainly is not true quoad the good citizens of the great model republic. It was bad enough to be accursed with a spurious economy; but this was not the heaviest grievance that then weighed upon the national interests. The demon of faction, party spirit, was actively at work in the country; and it was almost as rare to find a citizen who was influenced purely by patriotic and just views, as it would be to find an honest man in the galleys. The nation, as a rule, was either English or French. Some swore by the ...

— Miles Wallingford - Sequel to "Afloat and Ashore" • James Fenimore Cooper

... under the minority of Edward and the unpopularity of Mary. To this revival of a spirit of independence the spoliation of the Church largely contributed. Partly from necessity, partly from a desire to build up a faction interested in the maintenance of their ecclesiastical policy, Cromwell and the king squandered the vast mass of wealth which flowed into the Treasury from the dissolution of the monasteries with reckless prodigality. Three hundred and seventy-six smaller houses had been ...

— History of the English People - Volume 4 (of 8) • John Richard Green

... going to have to be done about that, too," Olirzon said to Marnik. "It's getting to a point where these political faction fights are being carried on entirely between members of the Society. In Ghamma alone, last year, thirty or forty of our members were ...

— Last Enemy • Henry Beam Piper

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