\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.

\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. 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.