| fifth column | |
| —n | |
| 1. | (originally) a group of Falangist sympathizers in Madrid during the Spanish Civil War who were prepared to join the four columns of insurgents marching on the city |
| 2. | any group of hostile or subversive infiltrators; an enemy in one's midst |
| fifth columnist | |
| —n | |
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| a scrap or morsel of food left at a meal. |
| fifth column | |
| —n | |
| 1. | (originally) a group of Falangist sympathizers in Madrid during the Spanish Civil War who were prepared to join the four columns of insurgents marching on the city |
| 2. | any group of hostile or subversive infiltrators; an enemy in one's midst |
| fifth columnist | |
| —n | |
People willing to cooperate with an aggressor against their own country. The term originated in a remark by Francisco Franco, the Spanish dictator, that he was marching on Madrid with four columns of troops, and that there was a “fifth column” of sympathizers within the city ready to help.