patriot

Etymology

From Middle French patriote, from Late Latin patriōta (“fellow countryman”) from the Ancient Greek πατριώτης (patriṓtēs, “of the same country”), from πατρίς (patrís, “father land", "country”), from πατήρ (patḗr, “father”).

noun

1. A person who loves and zealously supports and defends their country.
   The difference between patriotism and nationalism is that the patriot is proud of his country for what it does, and the nationalist is proud of his country no matter what it does; the first attitude creates a feeling of responsibility, but the second a feeling of blind arrogance that leads to war. 1953, Sydney J. Harris, “Purely Personal Prejudices”, in Strictly Personal, Regnery, page 228
   Nothing beats a gunboat. HMS Illustrious glided out of Portsmouth on Monday, past HMS Victory and cheering crowds of patriots. Within a week it will be off Gibraltar, a mere cannon shot from Cape Trafalgar. 14 August 2013, Simon Jenkins, The Guardian
2. (archaic) A fellow countryman, a compatriot.