fanatic
noun
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L320462 on Wikidata ↗adjective
No English definition recorded for this entry.
L336698 on Wikidata ↗Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /fəˈnæt.ɪk/ / /ˈfæ.nət.ɪk/ / /fəˈnaʔɪk/
adj
Etymology: First attested in 1525. Learned borrowing from Latin fānāticus (“of a temple, divinely inspired, frenzied”), from fānum (“temple”). Influenced by French fanatique.
- Fanatical.
“But Faith, fanatic Faith, once wedded fast / To some dear falsehood, hugs it to the last.”
- Showing evidence of possession by a god or demon; frenzied, overzealous.
noun
Etymology: First attested in 1525. Learned borrowing from Latin fānāticus (“of a temple, divinely inspired, frenzied”), from fānum (“temple”). Influenced by French fanatique.
- A person who is zealously enthusiastic for some cause.
“The reclusive tycoon calling himself the Illusive Man is a human nationalist focused on advancing human interests, whatever the cost to non-humans. The Citadel Council regards him as a fanatic posing a serious threat to galactic security.”
“A zealot can't change his mind. A fanatic can't change his mind and won't change the subject. —Winston Churchill (attributed)”