[ir-i-den-tist] 
| 1. | (usually initial capital letter ) a member of an Italian association that became prominent in 1878, advocating the redemption, or the incorporation into Italy, of certain neighboring regions (Italia irredenta) having a primarily Italian population. |
| 2. | a member of a party in any country advocating the acquisition of some region included in another country by reason of cultural, historical, ethnic, racial, or other ties. |
| 3. | pertaining to or supporting such a party or its doctrine. |
| ir·re·den·tist (ĭr'ĭ-děn'tĭst) n. One who advocates the recovery of territory culturally or historically related to one's nation but now subject to a foreign government. [Italian irredentista, from (Italia) irredenta, unredeemed (Italy), Italian-speaking areas subject to other countries; see irredenta.] ir're·den'tism n., ir're·den'tist adj. |