FACTION

cabal, faction, junto, camarilla

(noun) a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue

faction, sect

(noun) a dissenting clique

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology 1

Noun

faction (countable and uncountable, plural factions)

(countable) A group of people, especially within a political organization, which expresses a shared belief or opinion different from people who are not part of the group.

(uncountable) Strife; discord.

Etymology 2

Noun

faction (uncountable)

A form of literature, film etc, that treats real people or events as if they were fiction; a mix of fact and fiction

Source: Wiktionary

Fac"tion, n. Etym: [L. factio a doing, a company of persons acting together, a faction: cf. F. faction See Fashion.]

1. (Anc. Hist.)

Definition: One of the divisions or parties of charioteers (distinguished by their colors) in the games of the circus.

2. A party, in political society, combined or acting in union, in opposition to the government, or state; -- usually applied to a minority, but it may be applied to a majority; a combination or clique of partisans of any kind, acting for their own interests, especially if greedy, clamorous, and reckless of the common good.

3. Tumult; discord; dissension. They remained at Newbury in great faction among themselves. Clarendon.

Syn.

– Combination; clique; junto. See Cabal.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition