Definitions for fifth column
fifth col·umn

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. fifth column, Trojan horsenoun

   a subversive group that supports the enemy and engages in espionage or sabotage; an enemy in your midst

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. fifth columnnoun

   A group of people which clandestinely undermines a larger group, such as a nation, to which it is expected to be loyal.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Fifth column

   A fifth column is any group of people who undermine a larger group or nation from within, usually in favor of an enemy group or another nation. According to Harris Mylonas and Scott Radnitz, "fifth columns" are “domestic actors who work to undermine the national interest, in cooperation with external rivals of the state." The activities of a fifth column can be overt or clandestine. Forces gathered in secret can mobilize openly to assist an external attack. This term is also extended to organised actions by military personnel. Clandestine fifth column activities can involve acts of sabotage, disinformation, espionage, and/or terrorism executed within defense lines by secret sympathizers with an external force.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. fifth column

   A fifth column refers to any group of people who are secretly working to undermine and sabotage a larger group or activity from within, usually to aid an external enemy. The concept commonly applies to political scenarios, spies, or even organizations. The term originated from the Spanish Civil War, when a general said he had four military columns marching towards Madrid, and a fifth column of supporters already within the city.

WikidataRate this definition:4.0 / 1 vote

1. Fifth column

   A fifth column is a group of people who undermine a larger group, such as a nation or a besieged city, from within. The activities of a fifth column can be overt or clandestine. Forces gathered in secret can mobilize when coordination with an external attack requires and extend even to uniformed military operations as part of a coordinated campaign. They can be clandestine, involving acts of sabotage, disinformation campaigns, or espionage executed within defense lines by secret sympathizers with an external force.

Matched Categories

1. • Unit

How to pronounce fifth column?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say fifth column in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of fifth column in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of fifth column in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1

Examples of fifth column in a Sentence

1. Nigel Farage:

   We do have, I'm sad to say, a fifth column that is living within our own countries that is utterly opposed to our values, we're going to have to be a lot braver... in standing up for our Judaeo-Christian culture.

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=fifth column
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Fifth_Column
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Column
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=fifth column