What does "faction" mean?

Faction: A party, in political society, combined or acting in union, in opposition to the government, or state; -- usually applied to a minority, but it may be applied to a majority; a combination or clique of partisans of any kind, acting for their own interests, especially if greedy, clamorous, and reckless of the common good.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Tumult; discord; dissension. They remained at Newbury in great faction among themselves. Clarendon. See Cabal.

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