Definition of: Irredentist

(ir′i·den′tist) noun
1. One of a party formed in Italy about 1878 to secure the incorporation with that country of regions Italian in speech and race, but subject to other governments.
2. Any person or party that advocates the reunion with the “mother country” of a separate or separated national group or region.
—adjective Of or pertaining to the Irredentists or their policies. [<Ital. irredentista <(Italia) irredenta unredeemed (Italy), fem. of irredento <L in- not + redemptus redeemed. See REDEEM.]
—Ir′re·den′·tism noun