*partisan*

n. An inclination to weigh both views or opinions equally; absence of bias toward any particular party.
Syn. -- impartiality. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

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 ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mil.) Serving as a partisan in a detached command; as, a partisan officer or corps. [ 1913 Webster ]

Partisan ranger (Mil.), a member of a partisan corps. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

And make him with our pikes and partisans a grave. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]