n., v., & adv.
--n.
1. some but not all of a thing or number of things.
2 an essential member or constituent of anything (part of the family; a large part of the job).
3 a component of a machine etc. (spare parts; needs a new part).
4 a a portion of a human or animal body. b (in pl.) private parts.
5 a division of a book, broadcast serial, etc., esp. as much as is issued or broadcast at one time.
6 each of several equal portions of a whole (the recipe has 3 parts sugar to 2 parts flour).
7 a a portion allotted; a share. b a person's share in an action or enterprise (will have no part in it). c one's duty (was not my part to interfere).
8 a a character assigned to an actor on stage. b the words spoken by an actor on stage. c a copy of these.
9 Mus. a melody or other constituent of harmony assigned to a particular voice or instrument.
10 each of the sides in an agreement or dispute.
11 (in pl.) a region or district (am not from these parts).
12 (in pl.) abilities (a man of many parts).
13 US PARTING 2.
--v.
1. tr. & intr. divide or separate into parts (the crowd parted to let them through).
2 intr. a leave one another's company (they parted the best of friends). b (foll. by from) say goodbye to.
3 tr. cause to separate (they fought hard and had to be parted).
4 intr. (foll. by with) give up possession of; hand over.
5 tr. separate (the hair of the head on either side of the parting) with a comb.
--adv. to some extent; partly (is part iron and part wood; a lie that is part truth).
Phrases and idioms:
for the most part see MOST. for one's part as far as one is concerned. in part (or parts) to some extent; partly. look the part appear suitable for a role. on the part of on the behalf or initiative of (no objection on my part). part and parcel (usu. foll. by of) an essential part. part company see COMPANY. part-exchange n. a transaction in which goods are given as part of the payment for other goods, with the balance in money.
--v.tr. give (goods) in such a transaction. part of speech n. each of the categories to which words are assigned in accordance with their grammatical and semantic functions (in English esp. noun, pronoun, adjective, adverb, verb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection). part-song a song with three or more voice-parts, often without accompaniment, and harmonic rather than contrapuntal in character. part time less than the full time required by an activity. part-time adj. occupying or using only part of one's working time. part-timer a person employed in part-time work. part-work Brit. a publication appearing in several parts over a period of time. play a part
1. be significant or contributory.
2 act deceitfully.
3 perform a theatrical role. take in good part see GOOD. take part (often foll. by in) assist or have a share (in). take the part of support; back up. three parts three quarters.
Etymology: ME f. OF f. L pars partis (n.), partire, partiri (v.)