What does filibusterer mean?
A filibusterer is a person who engages in a filibuster, prolonging debate or discussion in order to delay or prevent a vote on a measure. This tactic is often used in legislative bodies to stall or block a bill. The term can imply a sense of obstruction or delay, and is often used in formal or legislative contexts. Filibusterers use various tactics to prolong debate, including speaking at length, introducing irrelevant topics, and using procedural maneuvers. While the term is often associated with politics, it can also be used in other contexts where prolonged debate or discussion is used to delay or prevent action. The use of filibusterer can be seen as a negative connotation, implying a lack of cooperation or a desire to obstruct progress. However, it can also be used in a more neutral sense to describe a person who is simply prolonging debate or discussion.
nounA person who engages in a filibuster, typically in a legislative body, by prolonging debate or discussion in order to delay or prevent a vote on a measure.
- A person who engages in a filibuster
"The senator was accused of being a filibusterer, using every tactic in the book to stall the bill."
"The senator's filibuster lasted for hours, with the filibusterer using every trick in the book to delay the vote."
"The filibusterer's tactics were widely criticized by their opponents."
The plural form is used to describe multiple people who engage in filibustering.
"The filibusterers in the Senate used every tactic in the book to delay the vote."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of filibusterer
The term filibusterer originated from the French word 'filibustre', which referred to a pirate or a privateer. The term was later adopted into English and modified to describe a person who engages in prolonged debate or discussion. The word 'bustler' is also related, referring to a person who engages in energetic or enthusiastic activity.
How filibusterer is actually used
In formal or legislative contexts, a filibusterer is often used to describe a person who engages in prolonged debate or discussion. The term can also imply a sense of obstruction or delay.