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fifth column
fifth column A term coined during the Spanish Civil War. As four columns advanced on Madrid, the fifth was described as consisting of collaborationists within the city. During World War II the term was applied to Nazi collaborators in occupied countries such as Quisling, who had assisted the German occupation from within.
collaboration (France) |
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Cite this article
JAN PALMOWSKI. "fifth column." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JAN PALMOWSKI. "fifth column." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-fifthcolumn.html JAN PALMOWSKI. "fifth column." A Dictionary of Contemporary World History. 2004. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O46-fifthcolumn.html |
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fifth column
fifth column a group within a country at war who are sympathetic to or working for its enemies.
fifth columnist. the term dates from the Spanish Civil War, when Gen. Mola, leading four columns of troops toward Madrid, declared that he had a fifth column inside the city. |
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"fifth column." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "fifth column." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-fifthcolumn.html "fifth column." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-fifthcolumn.html |
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fifth column
fifth col·umn • n. a group within a country at war who are sympathetic to or working for its enemies. DERIVATIVES: fifth col·umn·ist n. |
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Cite this article
"fifth column." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "fifth column." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-fifthcolumn.html "fifth column." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-fifthcolumn.html |
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