faction

[Fr., from Lat. factio.] The name given by the ancient Romans to the different troops or companies of combatants in the games of the circus. In the time of Just in i an 40,000 persons were killed in a contest between two of these factions; and they were at last suppre ed by universal consent. The term is applied in a bad sense to any party in a state which attempts, without adequate cause, to disturb the public peace, or that offers uncompromising opposition to the measures of the government.