Dictionary

patriot

noun pa·tri·ot \ˈpā-trē-ət, -ˌät, chiefly British ˈpa-trē-ət\

: a person who loves and strongly supports or fights for his or her country

Full Definition of PATRIOT

:  one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests
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Origin of PATRIOT

Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriōtēs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patēr father
First Known Use: 1605

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism
PATRIOT Defined for Kids

patriot

noun pa·tri·ot \ˈpā-trē-ət\

Definition of PATRIOT for Kids

:  a person who loves his or her country and strongly supports it

Word Root of PATRIOT

The Latin word pater, meaning father, and the Greek word patēr give us the root pater or patr. Anyone or anything paternal, such as an aunt or uncle, is related to one's father. A patriarch is a father and ruler of a family or tribe. A patriot is a person who loves his or her fatherland or country. A patron is a person who gives support and approval for a project or artist, as fathers support and approve of their children.

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Next Word in the Dictionary: patrioteer (noun)Previous Word in the Dictionary: PatriofelisAll Words Near: patriot
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