fanatic

• fanatick (obsolete)

First attested in 1525. Learned borrowing from Latin fānāticus (“of a temple, divinely inspired, frenzied”), from fānum (“temple”). Influenced by French fanatique.

• (MLE) IPA^(key): /fəˈnaʔɪk/
• IPA^(key): /fəˈnæt.ɪk/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ætɪk
• Homophones: phonetic, phenetic (only in certain topolects with the met–mat merger)

fanatic (comparative more fanatic, superlative most fanatic)

1. Fanatical.
   • 1817, Thomas Moore, Lalla-Rookh:

     But Faith, fanatic Faith, once wedded fast / To some dear falsehood, hugs it to the last.

2. (obsolete) Showing evidence of possession by a god or demon; frenzied, overzealous.

fanatic (plural fanatics)

1. A person who is zealously enthusiastic for some cause.
   • 2010, BioWare, Mass Effect 2 (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Cerberus: The Illusive Man Codex entry:

     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

• fan
• crank
• extremist

• actifan

Borrowed from Latin fānāticus, possibly via French fanatique.

• Audio (Béarn):

  (file)

fanatic m (feminine singular fanatica, masculine plural fanatics, feminine plural fanaticas)

1. fanatical

Borrowed from French fanatique, from Latin fānāticus.

fanatic m or n (feminine singular fanatică, masculine plural fanatici, feminine and neuter plural fanatice)

1. fanatic