fifth column

Betekenis (Engels)

1. A group of people which clandestinely undermines a larger group, such as a nation, to which it is expected to be loyal.
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see fifth, column.

Sinonieme

Trojan horse

Vertalings

cinquième colonne

quinta columna

πέμπτη φάλαγγα

Fünfte Kolonne

quinta coluna

vijfde colonne

cheval de Troie

cinquena columna

quinta columna

fünfte Kolonne

الطابور الخامس

quinta colonna

Etimologie (Engels)

From a 1936 radio address by Spanish Nationalist general Emilio Mola, in which he spoke of four of his army columns moving on Madrid and a fifth column (quinta columna) consisting of his militant supporters within the capital, intent on undermining the Republican government from within.