I. ˈpärt-nər also ˈpärd- noun
Etymology: Middle English partener, alteration of parcener, from Anglo-French, coparcener — more at parcener
Date: 14th century
1. archaic : one that shares : partaker
2.
a. : one associated with another especially in an action : associate , colleague
b. : either of two persons who dance together
c. : one of two or more persons who play together in a game against an opposing side
d. : a person with whom one shares an intimate relationship : one member of a couple
3. : a member of a partnership especially in a business ; also : such membership
4. : one of the heavy timbers that strengthen a ship's deck to support a mast — usually used in plural
• part·ner·less -ləs adjective
II. verb
Date: 1611
transitive verb
1. : to join or associate with another as partner
2. : to provide with a partner
intransitive verb
: to join as a partner