A person who is extremely devoted to a particular belief, cause, or activity, often to an excessive or extreme degree.
From Spanish 'fanático,' derived from Latin 'fanaticus' meaning 'inspired by a deity.' The word originally referred to someone possessed by religious fervor, and over time came to mean any person with extreme, uncompromising devotion.
The word 'fanaticus' in Latin literally meant 'inspired by a god,' so calling someone a fanatic was almost a compliment in ancient Rome—it meant they had divine inspiration! Now we use it for anyone obsessed with something, from sports fans to conspiracy theorists.
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