Adherers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A group of individuals who faithfully support or follow a particular leader, ideology, or movement
2. Those who attach themselves to a set of beliefs or policies, showing loyalty and commitment
3. People who stick firmly to certain principles or doctrines, reflecting their allegiance and devotion

Etymology: "Adherers" is the plural of "adherer," an agent noun formed from "adhere" plus the suffix "-er," meaning one who does the action. "Adhere" comes from Latin "adhaerere," built from "ad-," meaning "to," and "haerere," meaning "to stick" or "cling." That same "haerere" root lies behind "hesitate," from Latin "haesitare," which meant "to stick fast" and came to mean pausing or stammering, as if one's speech had caught. "Cohere" and "adhesive" share the root too, so those who adhere are, quite literally, people who stick to their cause.

Synonyms: supporters, followers, devotees