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   Fil·i·bus·ter

   /ˈfiləˌbəstər/

   

   noun

   • 1. an action such as a prolonged speech that obstructs progress in a legislative assembly while not technically contravening the required procedures: "the bill was defeated by a Senate filibuster in June"
   • 2. a person engaging in unauthorized warfare against a foreign country. historical

   verb

   • 1. act in an obstructive manner in a legislature, especially by speaking at inordinate length: "she has filibustered against a budget that would have cut school funding"
   • ▪ obstruct (a measure) by filibustering.

   Word Origin late 18th century: from French flibustier, first applied to pirates who pillaged the Spanish colonies in the West Indies. In the mid 19th century (via Spanish filibustero), the term denoted American adventurers who incited revolution in several Latin American states, whence filibuster (sense 2 of the noun). The verb was used to describe tactics intended to sabotage US congressional proceedings, whence filibuster (sense 1 of the noun).

   Scrabble Points: 15

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