a. Also 6 faccious, factiouse. [ad. F. factieux or L. factiōs-us, f. factiōn-em: see FACTION and -OUS.]
1. Of persons and their dispositions: Given to faction; inclined to form parties, or to act for party purposes; seditious.
1535. Joye, Apol. Tindale, 44. Calling me vayngloriouse … sedyciouse, factiouse, a sower of heresyes.
a. 1568. Ascham, Scholem., I. (Arb.), 76. A discoursing long, and a factious harte.
1593. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., V. i. 135. Chop away that factious pate of his.
1624. Capt. Smith, Virginia, III. iii. 52. Fast, least we should incurre the censure of factious and seditious persons.
1750. Berkeley, Patriotism, § 42. Wks. 1871, III. 457. The factious man is apt to mistake himself for a patriot.
a. 1850. Calhoun, Wks. (1874), II. 62. A factious opposition sickens at the sight of prosperity.
1874. Green, Short Hist., x. (1876), 742. He saw that the Whigs were divided among themselves by the factious spirit which springs from a long hold of power.
2. Of actions, utterances, etc.: Pertaining to or proceeding from faction; characterized by party spirit.
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 666/1. For the settyng foorth and auauncing of hys [Tindal’s] false faccious heresies.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., I. iii. 191. Ajax … makes factious Feasts.
1665. Boyle, Occas. Refl., IV. xi. (1675), 239. It will be no small satisfaction to an honest Man, and a loyal Subject, not to be conscious to himself of having contributed to the publick Calamities, either by his own Provocations, or his Factious indignation at the Princes faults.
1782. Priestley, Corrupt. Chr., I. I. 109. In this factious manner was the great doctrine … established.
1803. Syd. Smith, Wks. (1867), I. 25. Why can factious eloquence produce such limited effects in this country?
1862. Ld. Brougham, Brit. Const., ix. § 2. 120. The party chiefs used the mob more effectually for their own factious and selfish purposes.
