| 释义 |
fifth column
fifth columnn. A clandestine subversive organization working within a country to further an invading enemy's military and political aims.
[First applied in 1936 to rebel sympathizers inside Madrid when four columns of rebel troops were attacking that city.]
fifth col′um·nism (kŏl′əm-nĭz′əm) n.fifth columnist n.fifth column n 1. (Historical Terms) (originally) a group of Falangist sympathizers in Madrid during the Spanish Civil War who were prepared to join the four columns of insurgents marching on the city 2. any group of hostile or subversive infiltrators; an enemy in one's midst fifth columnist nfifth′ col′umn
n. 1. a group of people who act traitorously and subversively out of a secret sympathy with an enemy of their country. 2. (originally) Franco sympathizers in Madrid during the Spanish Civil War: the insurgents had four columns marching on Madrid and a “fifth column” of supporters already in the city. fifth′ col′umnist, n. Thesaurus| Noun | 1. |  fifth column - a subversive group that supports the enemy and engages in espionage or sabotage; an enemy in your midstTrojan horsesocial unit, unit - an organization regarded as part of a larger social group; "the coach said the offensive unit did a good job"; "after the battle the soldier had trouble rejoining his unit"fifth columnist, saboteur - a member of a clandestine subversive organization who tries to help a potential invader |
Translationsfifth column
fifth columnA clandestine group of people who work subversively within a group, organization, or country in order to betray it to an allied outside force. In the US during the Cold War, there was constant fear and suspicion of people supposedly working in a fifth column to spread the influence of communism from within.See also: column, fifthfifth columnA secret subversive group that works against a country or organization from the inside, as in The government feared that there was a fifth column working to oppose its policies during the crisis . This term was invented by General Emilio Mola during the Spanish Civil War in a radio broadcast on October 16, 1936, in which he said that he had una quinta columna ("a fifth column") of sympathizers for General Franco among the Republicans holding the city of Madrid, and it would join his four columns of troops when they attacked. The term was popularized by Ernest Hemingway and later extended to any traitorous insiders. See also: column, fifthfifth column an organized group of people sympathizing with and working for the enemy within a country at war or otherwise under attack. Fifth column is a translation of the Spanish phrase quinta columna : during the Spanish Civil War, an extra body of supporters was claimed by General Mola as being within Madrid when he besieged the city with four columns of Nationalist forces in 1936 .See also: column, fifthfifth column
fifth column1. (originally) a group of Falangist sympathizers in Madrid during the Spanish Civil War who were prepared to join the four columns of insurgents marching on the city 2. any group of hostile or subversive infiltrators Fifth Column a term used to designate a group of General Franco’s agents who operated in the Spanish Republic during the National Revolutionary War of 1936–39. The term “fifth column” originated in early October 1936, when the Francoist general E. Mola declared on the radio that the rebels were conducting an offensive on Madrid using four columns, while the fifth would strike from the rear at the decisive moment. The fifth column spread panic and engaged in sabotage, espionage, and diversionary activity. During World War II the term was used to designate groups of Nazi agents in various countries who aided the fascist troops in the capture of these countries. fifth column
Related to fifth column: fifth estateSynonyms for fifth columnnoun a subversive group that supports the enemy and engages in espionage or sabotageSynonymsRelated Words- social unit
- unit
- fifth columnist
- saboteur
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