factious

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   inclined to form factions or provoke internal disagreement

   The factious delegates repeatedly put party rivalry ahead of a workable settlement.

2. 2
   adj

   arising from or characterized by factional conflict

   A factious dispute split the council into three hostile camps.

From Latin factiosus, 'partisan, inclined to form factions,' based on factio, 'a group acting together' and the source of faction. Its political sense developed from belonging to a party into promoting divisive party conflict.

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