Zealot (?), n. [F. zélote, L. zelotes, Gr. &unr_;. See Zeal.] One who is zealous; one who engages warmly in any cause, and pursues his object with earnestness and ardor; especially, one who is overzealous, or carried away by his zeal; one absorbed in devotion to anything; an enthusiast; a fanatical partisan.[1913 Webster]
Zealots for the one [tradition] were in hostile array against zealots for the other.
In Ayrshire, Clydesdale, Nithisdale, Annandale, every parish was visited by these turbulent zealots.