Insurrection

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Insurrection \In`sur*rec"tion\, n. [L. insurrectio, fr.
     insurgere, insurrectum: cf. F. insurrection. See
     {Insurgent}.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. A rising against civil or political authority, or the
        established government; open and active opposition to the


        execution of law in a city or state.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              It is found that this city of old time hath made
              insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and
              sedition have been made therein.      --Ezra iv. 19.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A rising in mass to oppose an enemy. [Obs.]
  
     Syn: {Insurrection}, {Sedition}, {Revolt}, {Rebellion},
          {Mutiny}.
  
     Usage: Sedition is the raising of commotion in a state, as by
            conspiracy, without aiming at open violence against
            the laws. Insurrection is a rising of individuals to
            prevent the execution of law by force of arms. Revolt
            is a casting off the authority of a government, with a
            view to put it down by force, or to substitute one
            ruler for another. Rebellion is an extended
            insurrection and revolt. Mutiny is an insurrection on
            a small scale, as a mutiny of a regiment, or of a
            ship's crew.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  I say again,
                  In soothing them, we nourish 'gainst our senate
                  The cockle of rebellion, insolence, sedition.
                                                    --Shak.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  Insurrections of base people are commonly more
                  furious in their beginnings.      --Bacon.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  He was greatly strengthened, and the enemy as
                  much enfeebled, by daily revolts. --Sir W.
                                                    Raleigh.
            [1913 Webster]
  
                  Though of their names in heavenly records now
                  Be no memorial, blotted out and razed
                  By their rebellion from the books of life.
                                                    --Milton.
            [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  insurrection
       n : organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one
           faction tries to wrest control from another [syn: {rebellion},
            {revolt}, {rising}, {uprising}]

From THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993) [devils]:

  INSURRECTION, n.  An unsuccessful revolution.  Disaffection's failure
  to substitute misrule for bad government.