n. [ F., fr. It. partigiano. See Party, and cf. Partisan a truncheon. ]
Both sides had their partisans in the colony. Jefferson. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ Written also partizan. ]
Partisan ranger (Mil.),
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 ]
n. The state of being a partisan, or adherent to a party; feelings or conduct characteristic of a partisan. [ 1913 Webster ]