fanatic
nounEtymology First attested in 1525. Learned borrowing from Latin fānāticus (“of a temple, divinely inspired, frenzied”), from fānum (“temple”). Influenced by French fanatique.
1
A person who is zealously enthusiastic for some cause.
- 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.2010, BioWare, Mass Effect 2 (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →OCLC, PC, scene: Cerberus: The Illusive Man Codex entry:
- A zealot can't change his mind. A fanatic can't change his mind and won't change the subject. —Winston Churchill (attributed)
1 more example
- A fanatic is one who redoubles his effort when he has forgotten his aim. —George Santayana
- Derived terms
- antifanatic, ecofanatic, fan, fanaticism, fanaticize, Jonatic, Lovatic, nonfanatic, Sinatratic, ultrafanatic