I. ˈpärt noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French & Old English, both from Latin part-, pars; perhaps akin to Latin parare to prepare — more at pare
Date: before 12th century
1.
a.
(1) : one of the often indefinite or unequal subdivisions into which something is or is regarded as divided and which together constitute the whole
(2) : an essential portion or integral element
b. : one of several or many equal units of which something is composed or into which it is divisible : an amount equal to another amount
mix one part of the powder with three part s of water
c.
(1) : an exact divisor of a quantity : aliquot
(2) : partial fraction
d. : one of the constituent elements of a plant or animal body: as
(1) : organ , member
(2) plural : private parts
e. : a division of a literary work
f.
(1) : a vocal or instrumental line or melody in concerted music or in harmony
(2) : a particular voice or instrument in concerted music ; also : the score for it
g. : a constituent member of a machine or other apparatus ; also : a spare part
2. : something falling to one in a division or apportionment : share
wanted no part of the proposal
3. : one's share or allotted task (as in an action) : duty
one must do one's part
4. : one of the opposing sides in a conflict or dispute
5. : a general area of indefinite boundaries — usually used in plural
you're not from around these part s
took off for part s unknown
6. : a function or course of action performed
7.
a. : an actor's lines in a play
b. : the role of a character in a play
8. : a constituent of character or capacity : talent
a man of many part s
9. : the line where the hair is parted
•
- for one's part
- for the most part
- in part
- on one's part
Synonyms:
part , portion , piece , member , division , section , segment , fragment mean something less than the whole. part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required
they ran only part of the way
portion implies an assigned or allotted part
cut the pie into six portions
piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole
a puzzle with 500 pieces
member suggests one of the functional units composing a body
a structural member
division applies to a large or diversified part
the manufacturing division of the company
section applies to a relatively small or uniform part
the entertainment section of the newspaper
segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage
the retired segment of the population
fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off
only a fragment of the play still exists
II. verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French partir, from Latin partire to divide, from part-, pars
Date: 13th century
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to separate from or take leave of someone
b. : to take leave of one another
2. : to become separated into parts
3.
a. : to go away : depart
b. : die
4. : to become separated, detached, or broken
5. : to relinquish possession or control
hated to part with that money
transitive verb
1.
a. : to divide into parts
b. : to separate by combing on each side of a line
c. : to break or suffer the breaking of (as a rope or anchor chain)
2. : to divide into shares and distribute : apportion
3.
a. : to remove from contact or association
if aught but death part thee and me — Ruth 1:17(Authorized Version)
b. : to keep separate
the narrow channel that part s England from France
c. : to hold (as brawlers) apart
d. : to separate by a process of extraction, elimination, or secretion
4.
a. archaic : leave , quit
b. dialect British : relinquish , give up
•
- part company
III. adverb
Date: 1513
: partly
IV. adjective
Date: 1818
: partial 1
V. abbreviation
1. participial; participle
2. particular