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REFERENCE

faction

n.
US //ˈfækʃən// UK //fˈækʃən// fac·tion
  1. 1 a dissenting group (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a small group of people within a larger organization, like a political party, who disagree with the main group.

    a cohesive subgroup within a larger organization, typically characterized by dissent or a specific shared agenda that differs from the majority.

    Example

    A small faction within the party voted against the new law.

    Example

    The ruling party was paralyzed by internal factions, each competing for influence over the upcoming budget negotiations.

    Usage

    Often used with 'within' to describe the relationship to the parent organization.

  2. 2 fact-fiction blend (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Literature

    a type of book or film that mixes real events and people with fictional stories.

    a literary or cinematic genre that treats real people or historical events using the techniques of fiction.

    Example

    The movie is a work of faction, combining historical records with imagined conversations.

    Example

    Critics debated whether the author's use of faction successfully humanized the historical figures or merely distorted the public's understanding of the actual events.

    Usage

    A portmanteau of 'fact' and 'fiction', used primarily in academic or critical contexts.

    • docudrama
    • non fiction novel
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  1. 3 conflict or discord (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary Archaic

    fighting or disagreement between different groups within a larger one.

    state of conflict, discord, or dissension within a group or state.

    Example

    The country was torn apart by years of religious faction.

    Example

    The historian argued that the empire did not fall to external enemies but was eroded from within by centuries of bitter faction and greed.

Etymology 1

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.

Etymology 2

Blend of fact + fiction.

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