The word "patriot" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors. In its grammatical role, it serves as the subject or object in a sentence, identifying a specific type of individual. While it can also be used as an adjective, its principal and most common part of speech is a noun.
As a noun, "patriot" refers to the agent or person embodying the quality of patriotism (e.g., "She was considered a great patriot."). In this capacity, it is a concrete noun that can be pluralized ("patriots") and modified by adjectives ("a loyal patriot"). Less frequently, "patriot" functions as an attributive noun (a noun used as an adjective) to modify another noun, describing it as being related to or characteristic of patriots (e.g., "a patriot group" or the proper name "Patriot missile"). This adjectival use is distinct from the more common adjective "patriotic," which is the standard word for describing a quality or sentiment.
Determining whether the main point of an article focuses on "patriot" as a noun or an adjective is crucial for its thematic direction. A focus on the noun would lead to a discussion centered on individuals, historical figures, archetypes, and the definition of a person who is a patriot. Conversely, an analysis centered on its adjectival use would explore the qualities, actions, symbols, and rhetoric associated with patriotism, investigating how the label "patriot" is applied to events, legislation, or movements.
