Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Faction

Faction (fak"shun) , noun

[Latin factio a doing, a company of persons acting together, a faction: compare French faction See Fashion.]

1.
(Anc. Hist.) One of the divisions or parties of charioteers (distinguished by their colors) in the games of the circus.
2.
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.
3.
Tumult; discord; dissension.
They remained at Newbury in great faction among themselves. — Clarendon