PARTY

n. & v. --n. (pl. -ies) 1 a social gathering, usu. of invited guests. 2 a body of persons engaged in an activity or travelling together (fishing party; search party). 3 a group of people united in a cause, opinion, etc., esp. a political group organized on a national basis. 4 a person or persons forming one side in an agreement or dispute. 5 (foll. by to) Law an accessory (to an action). 6 colloq. a person. --v.tr. & intr. (-ies, -ied) entertain at or attend a party. øparty line 1 the policy adopted by a political party. 2 a telephone line shared by two or more subscribers. party-wall a wall common to two adjoining buildings or rooms. [ME f. OF partie ult. f. L partire: see PART]