fanatic
adjectivenounattested in dialogue
- //fəˈnæt.ɪk//
- //ˈfæ.nət.ɪk//
- //fəˈnaʔɪk//
Fanatical.
adjective
- 1
Fanatical.
But Faith, fanatic Faith, once wedded fast / To some dear falsehood, hugs it to the last.
- 2
obsoleteShowing evidence of possession by a god or demon; frenzied, overzealous.
Etymology
First attested in 1525. Learned borrowing from Latin fānāticus (“of a temple, divinely inspired, frenzied”), from fānum (“temple”). Influenced by French fanatique.
noun
- 1
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)
A fanatic is one who redoubles his effort when he has forgotten his aim. —George Santayana
Forms
- plural
- fanatics
- comparative
- more fanatic
- superlative
- most fanatic