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Definition of fifth column noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fifth column

noun
 
/ˌfɪfθ ˈkɒləm/
 
/ˌfɪfθ ˈkɑːləm/
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  1. a group of people working secretly to help the enemy of the country or organization they are in
    Word OriginThe term dates from the Spanish Civil War, when General Mola, leading four columns of troops towards Madrid, declared that he had a fifth column inside the city.
See fifth column in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
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trait
noun
 
 
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