Party

Party Par"ty (p[aum]r"t[y^]), n.; pl. {Parties} (p[aum]r"t[i^]z). [F. parti and partie, fr. F. partir to part, divide, L. partire, partiri. See {Part}, v.] 1. A part or portion. [Obs.] ``The most party of the time.'' --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

2. A number of persons united in opinion or action, as distinguished from, or opposed to, the rest of a community or association; esp., one of the parts into which a people is divided on questions of public policy. [1913 Webster]

Win the noble Brutus to our party. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

The peace both parties want is like to last. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

3. A part of a larger body of company; a detachment; especially (Mil.), a small body of troops dispatched on special service. [1913 Webster]

4. A number of persons invited to a social entertainment; a select company; as, a dinner party; also, the entertainment itself; as, to give a party. [1913 Webster]

5. One concerned or interested in an affair; one who takes part with others; a participator; as, he was a party to the plot; a party to the contract. [1913 Webster]

6. The plaintiff or the defendant in a lawsuit, whether an individual, a firm, or corporation; a litigant. [1913 Webster]

The cause of both parties shall come before the judges. --Ex. xxii. 9. [1913 Webster]

7. Hence, any certain person who is regarded as being opposed or antagonistic to another. [1913 Webster]

If the jury found that the party slain was of English race, it had been adjudged felony. --Sir J. Davies. [1913 Webster]

8. Cause; side; interest. [1913 Webster]

Have you nothing said Upon this Party 'gainst the Duke of Albany? --Shak. [1913 Webster]

9. A person; as, he is a queer party. [Now accounted a vulgarism.] [1913 Webster]

Note: ``For several generations, our ancestors largely employed party for person; but this use of the word, when it appeared to be reviving, happened to strike, more particularly, the fancy of the vulgar; and the consequence has been, that the polite have chosen to leave it in their undisputed possession.'' --Fitzed. Hall. [1913 Webster]

{Party jury} (Law), a jury composed of different parties, as one which is half natives and half foreigners.

{Party man}, a partisan. --Swift.

{Party spirit}, a factious and unreasonable temper, not uncommonly shown by party men. --Whately.

{Party verdict}, a joint verdict. --Shak.

{Party wall}. (a) (Arch.) A wall built upon the dividing line between two adjoining properties, usually having half its thickness on each property. (b) (Law) A wall that separates adjoining houses, as in a block or row. [1913 Webster]