French word

faction

Pronunciation

IPA/faksjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine nounguard duty

Example

Je suis de faction ce soir.

I am on guard duty tonight.

Illustration for faction (guard duty)

More examples

Pendant ma faction, je reste au poste.

During my guard duty, I remain at my post.

Core concept

A guard standing at a designated place until the next person takes over.

Common phrases

  • assurer la faction

    perform guard duty

  • être de faction

    be on guard duty

Similar words

garde: Rotating guard duty to protect a building or person.
veille: Staying awake at night to maintain watch or surveillance.
poste: An assigned station or post for carrying out duties.

Definition in French

Service de garde ou tour de surveillance pendant lequel une personne est de permanence pour veiller à la sécurité d'un lieu.

Word origin

The French word faction comes from Latin factio, related to facere, 'to do or make', and acquired a specialized sense for a period of guard duty.

Usage tips

  • In this sense, English faction is a false friend: it usually means a dissenting group, while French faction refers to guard duty here.

Other meanings

  • watchnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word