patriote

Patriote is a French noun meaning a person who loves and defends their country; as an adjective, patriote describes actions or views tied to national loyalty. The word derives from Latin patriota, via Old French patriote, ultimately from Greek patriōtēs, "fellow countryman."

Usage has varied across historical contexts. In political discourse, a patriote is someone who advocates for the interests, sovereignty, or reform of the nation. The term has been used both descriptively and polemically.

In Lower Canada (now Quebec), the Patriotes were reformist activists who joined the 1837-1838 rebellions against the colonial government, led by figures such as Louis-Joseph Papineau; the movement sought responsible government and greater local autonomy.

Contemporary usage in francophone communities is broad: it can denote civic patriotism, support for national institutions, or cultural pride. In some contexts, the term may be adopted by political or social groups as a self-designation or rhetorical label.

Overall, patriote carries a neutral to positive connotation in many contexts, while its historical associations in Canada evoke a struggle for political reform and autonomy. See also patriote versus patriot in other languages, and the historical use of the term patriotes in 19th-century Canadian history.