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filibuster

 - 4 dictionary results

fil⋅i⋅bus⋅ter

  [fil-uh-buhs-ter]
Use filibuster in a Sentence
–noun
1. U.S. Politics.
a. 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.
b. an exceptionally long speech, as one lasting for a day or days, or a series of such speeches to accomplish this purpose.
c. a member of a legislature who makes such a speech.
2. an irregular military adventurer, esp. one who engages in an unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country to foment or support a revolution.
–verb (used without object)
3. U.S. Politics. to impede legislation by irregular or obstructive tactics, esp. by making long speeches.
4. to act as an irregular military adventurer, esp. for revolutionary purposes.
–verb (used with object)
5. U.S. Politics. to impede (legislation) by irregular or obstructive tactics, esp. by making long speeches.
Origin:
1580–90; < Sp filibustero < MF flibustier, var. of fribustier; see freebooter

Related forms:
fil⋅i⋅bus⋅ter⋅er, noun
fil⋅i⋅bus⋅ter⋅ism, noun
fil⋅i⋅bus⋅ter⋅ous, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To filibuster
fil·i·bus·ter   (fĭl'ə-bŭs'tər)   
n.  

    1. The use of obstructionist tactics, especially prolonged speechmaking, for the purpose of delaying legislative action.

    2. An instance of the use of this delaying tactic.

  2. An adventurer who engages in a private military action in a foreign country.

v.   fil·i·bus·tered, fil·i·bus·ter·ing, fil·i·bus·ters

v.   intr.

  1. To use obstructionist tactics in a legislative body.

  2. To take part in a private military action in a foreign country.

v.   tr.
To use a filibuster against (a legislative measure, for example).

[From Spanish filibustero, freebooter, from French flibustier, from Dutch vrijbuiter, pirate; see freebooter.]
fil'i·bus'ter·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: fil·i·bus·ter
Pronunciation: 'fi-l&-"b&s-t&r
Function: noun
: the use of extreme dilatory tactics in an attempt to delay or prevent action esp. in a legislative assembly; also : an instance of this practice

Main Entry: filibuster
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: -tered; -ter·ing
intransitive verb : to engage in a filibuster transitive verb : to subject to a filibuster
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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