partizan

partizan
    adj 1: devoted to a cause or party [syn: {partisan}, {partizan}]
           [ant: {nonpartisan}, {nonpartizan}]
    n 1: an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of some person or
         activity [syn: {enthusiast}, {partisan}, {partizan}]
    2: a pike with a long tapering double-edged blade with lateral
       projections; 16th and 17th centuries [syn: {partisan},
       {partizan}]
    

Partisan \Par"ti*san\ (p[aum]r"t[i^]*zan), 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.
      [1913 Webster]

            Both sides had their partisans in the colony.
                                                  --Jefferson.
      [1913 Webster]

   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.
          [1913 Webster]