n. 1. A group of persons forming a cohesive, usually contentious minority within a larger group. 2. Conflict within an organization or nation; internal dissension: "Our own beloved country ... is now afflicted with faction and civil war" (Abraham Lincoln). [French, from Latin factiō, factiōn-, from factus, past participle of facere, to do; see dhē- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] faction·al adj. faction·al·ism n. faction·al·ly adv. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.