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Filibuster

[fil-uh-buhs-ter]

Origin

noun

U.S. Politics.

the use of irregular or obstructive tactics by a member of a legislative assembly to prevent the adoption of a measure generally favored or to force a decision against the will of the majority.

an exceptionally long speech, as one lasting for a day or days, or a series of such speeches to accomplish this purpose.

a member of a legislature who makes such a speech.

an irregular military adventurer, especially one who engages in an unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country to foment or support a revolution.

verb (used without object)

U.S. Politics. to impede legislation by irregular or obstructive tactics, especially by making long speeches.

to act as an irregular military adventurer, especially for revolutionary purposes.

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to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.

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verb (used with object)

U.S. Politics. to impede (legislation) by irregular or obstructive tactics, especially by making long speeches.

Origin:
1580–90; < Spanish filibustero < Middle French flibustier, variant of fribustier; see freebooter

Related forms

fil·i·bus·ter·er, noun

fil·i·bus·ter·ism, noun

fil·i·bus·ter·ous, adjective

an·ti·fil·i·bus·ter, noun, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To Filibuster

Collins

World English Dictionary

filibuster (ˈfɪlɪˌbʌstə)

—n
1.	the process or an instance of obstructing legislation by means of long speeches and other delaying tactics
2.	Also called: filibusterer a legislator who engages in such obstruction
3.	a buccaneer, freebooter, or irregular military adventurer, esp a revolutionary in a foreign country

—vb
4.	to obstruct (legislation) with delaying tactics
5.	(intr) to engage in unlawful and private military action

[C16: from Spanish filibustero, from French flibustier probably from Dutch vrijbuiter pirate, literally: one plundering freely; see freebooter]

'filibusterer

—n

'filibusterism

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

filibuster

1580s, flibutor "pirate," probably ultimately from Du. vrijbuiter "freebooter," used of pirates in the West Indies as Sp. filibustero and Fr. flibustier, either or both of which gave the word to Amer.Eng. (see freebooter). Used 1850s and '60s of lawless adventurers from

EXPAND

the U.S. who tried to overthrow Central American countries. The legislative sense is first recorded c.1851, probably because obstructionist legislators "pirated" debate. Not technically restricted to U.S. Senate, but that's where the strategy works best. Related: Filibustered; filibustering.

COLLAPSE

American Heritage

Cultural Dictionary

filibuster [(fil-uh-bus-tuhr)]

A strategy employed in the United States Senate, whereby a minority can delay a vote on proposed legislation by making long speeches or introducing irrelevant issues. A successful filibuster can force withdrawal of a bill. Filibusters can be ended only by cloture.

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"A little group of wilful men reflecting no opinion but their own have rendered the great Government of the United States helpless and contemptible."

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