faction

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A group of people, especially within a political organization, which expresses a shared belief or opinion different from people who are not part of the group.

   Real factions may be divided into those from interest, from principle, and from affection

2. 2
   noun

   Strife; discord.

   Publick [sic] affairs soon fell into the utmost confusion, and in this state of faction and perplexity, the island continued, until its re-capture by the French in 1779.

3. 3
   noun

   A form of literature, film etc., that treats real people or events as if they were fiction; a mix of fact and fiction.

   Near-synonym: fictionalization

4. 4
   noun

   a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue

5. 5
   noun

   a dissenting clique

6. 6
   noun

   The facts found in fiction.

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French faction, from Latin factiō (“a group of people acting together, a political faction”), noun of process from perfect passive participle factus, from faciō (“do, make”). Doublet of fashion.