Patriot

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈpæt.ɹi.É™t/, /ˈpeɪ.tɹi.É™t/
• US IPA: /ˈpeɪ.t(ʃ)ɹi.É™t/

Origin

From the Middle French compatriot around 1600, from Late Latin patriōta ("fellow countryman") from the Ancient Greek πατριώτης (patriotēs, "of the same country"), from πατρίς (patris, "father land", "country"), from πατήρ (pater, "father").

Full definition of patriot

Noun

1. A person who loves and zealously supports and defends their country.
• Alexander PopeSuch tears as patriots shed for dying laws.
• 2013, Simon Jenkins, Gibraltar and the Falklands deny the logic of history (in The Guardian, 14 August 2013)http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/aug/14/gibraltar-falklands-deny-logic-historyNothing beats a gunboat. HMS Illustrious glided out of Portsmouth on Monday, past HMS Victory and cheering crowds of patriots. Within a week it will be off Gibraltar, a mere cannon shot from Cape Trafalgar.
2. (archaic) A fellow countryman, a compatriot.

Derived terms

• patriotic
• patriotism
• Patriot missile
• patriotization