patriot

pa-tri-ot · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.

  2. 2.

    (historical) A member of the colonial resistance movement in the American Revolution.

Forms

plural: patriots

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    patriot act — US legislation passed after 9/11 expanding surveillance powers
  • •
    armchair patriot — someone who expresses patriotism without taking real action

Related words

Antonyms: defector, traitor
See also: nationalism, patriotic, patriotism
Synonyms: loyalist, nationalist

Etymology

From French patriote, from Late Latin patriota ("fellow countryman"), from Greek patriotes ("fellow countryman"), from patrios ("of one's fathers"), from pater ("father").