Quisling

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkwɪzlɪŋ/

Origin

1940, after Vidkun Quisling (1887–1945), who ruled the Nazi collaborationist government of Norway during World War Two. Romanization of the Danish place name Kvislemark.

Full definition of quisling

Noun

1. (pejorative) A traitor who collaborates with the enemy.
• 1993, Will Self, :The man she cherishes, the man she butterfly-kisses, the man she sleeps curved around like two spoons in a drawer. It is he who is evil, he who is sworn to destroy her, an emotional quisling of the first water.

Synonyms

• (traitor) collaborator, traitor, rat

Derived terms