Obs. [f. prec. sb.]
1. intr. To act in a factious or rebellious spirit; to intrigue; to mutiny. Also to faction it.
1609. Bp. W. Barlow, Answ. Nameless Cath., 45. Bishops and Priests vse the Keyes committed to them, toward, their Soueraignes for winning their soules, not for disturbing their states; for preaching to them, not factioning against them.
1656. S. H., Gold. Law, 81. They need not faction it for their places, being already plac’t.
1682. Southerne, Loyal Brother, III. This rebel nature factions in my breast.
2. trans. To form into factions.
1656. S. H., Gold. Law, 35. They … divided and factioned the people to the Hazard and Ruine of al.
Hence † Factioned ppl. a., † Factioning vbl. sb.
1653. H. Holcroft, Procopius, Pref. How are they commonly so faction’d and sided, that their Relations are but their Interests.
1656. S. H., Gold. Law, 61. Which else by such factionings and rebellions might have been endangered.
