fifth column
English
Etymology
From a 1936 radio address by Spanish Nationalist general Emilio Mola, in which he spoke of four of his army columns moving on Madrid and a quinta columna consisting of his militant supporters within the capital, intent on undermining the Republican government from within.
Noun
fifth column (plural fifth columns)
- (dated) A group of people which clandestinely undermines a larger group, such as a nation, to which it is expected to be loyal.
Derived terms
- fifth columnism
- fifth columnist
Translations
a group of people which clandestinely undermines a larger group, such as a nation, to which it is expected to be loyal
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See also
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