irredentist

[ ir-i-den-tist ]

noun

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.

adjective

1. pertaining to or supporting such a party or its doctrine.

irredentist

¹

/ ˌɪrɪˈdɛntɪst /

noun

1. a person who favours the acquisition of territory that once was part of his country or is considered to have been

adjective

1. of, relating to, or advocating this belief

Irredentist

²

/ ˌɪrɪˈdɛntɪst /

noun

1. sometimes not capital a member of an Italian association prominent in 1878 that sought to recover for Italy certain neighbouring regions ( Italia irredenta ) with a predominantly Italian population that were under foreign control

Derived Forms

• ˌirreˈdentism, noun

Other Words From

• ir·re·den·tism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of irredentist¹

First recorded in 1880–85; from Italian irredentista, equivalent to (Italia) irredent(a) “(Italy) unredeemed” (feminine of irredento, equivalent to ir- ir- ² + redento, from Latin redemptus; redemption ) + -ista -ist

Word History and Origins

Origin of irredentist¹

C19: from Italian irredentista, from the phrase Italia irredenta, literally: Italy unredeemed, from ir- in- ¹+ redento redeemed, from Latin redemptus bought back; see redeem

Example Sentences

In past speeches, he has also used the irredentist term “West Azerbaijan” to refer to swaths of Armenia — including Syunik — that he believes rightfully belong to his country.

From Los Angeles Times

But if irredentist resentment lurked, alongside a Soviet spy’s suspicion of the U.S.,

From Seattle Times

I was first amused but then annoyed by a reader’s complaint that the words “irredentist” and “revanchist,” at the start of an article about Ukraine, were “so obtuse” that she had to look them up.

From Washington Post

“He’s going back to a dangerous, irredentist and ethnic nationalist view of sovereignty and self-determination,” Tocci said.

From Seattle Times

Already, eastern European members of the alliance are clamoring for more U.S. forces as a deterrent against an irredentist Kremlin that once controlled their lands in addition to Ukraine.

From Washington Post