[f. FUSION sb. + -IST. Cf. F. fusionniste.] One who strives to promote fusion or coalition between differing associations, parties, or opinions.
1851. Fraser’s Mag., XLIII. 683. The man … now comes forward as a fusionist.
1856. Westm. Rev., XXI. 479. Its [the French Academy’s] elections are pitched battles between the Imperialists and the Fusionists.
1884. Century Mag., Jan., 399/1. Ready to break a lance one day for the Orleanlsts, another for the fusionists.
b. attrib. passing into adj.
1858. J. W. Donaldson, Lit. Greece, III. 41. Neglecting the reactionary or fusionist schemes of Philo or Antiochus.
1873. Daily News, 22 Aug. The Fusionist negotiations have suddenly and finally ended in failure.
1875. M. Pattison, Casaubon, 504. After a short period of irresolution, during which he was feeling his way, mentally and morally, he settled down in the attitude which we may call fusionist.
1882. Pall Mall G., 19 April, 6. Among Canadian Railway Securities there is the fusionist conflict with its ups and downs of prices.
