I. ˈpär]tnər, ˈpȧ]tnə(r, chiefly in substand speech or as a term of address ]dn-\ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English partener, alteration (influenced by part ) (I) of parcener, from Anglo-French, coparcener, partner — more at parcener
1. archaic : one that shares in the possession or enjoyment of something with another : partaker , sharer
entreated a gentleman … to admit me partner of his bed — Fynes Moryson
2.
a. : one that is associated in any action with another : associate , colleague
make us partners in the deliberative process — B.N.Cardozo
a steady military buildup with our partners throughout the world — D.D.Eisenhower
b.
(1) : either of a couple who dance together
(2) : the lady on the right of a man or the man on the left of a lady in a square dance set — compare corner 7, corner lady , opposite lady , right-hand lady
c. : one of two or more persons who play together in a game against an opposing side
d. : either of two married persons : husband , wife
3.
a. : one of two or more persons associated as joint principals in carrying on any business with a view to joint profit : a member of a partnership — compare general partner , nominal partner , ostensible partner , secret partner , silent partner , special partner
b. : one held to resemble such a partner in having with others joint rights and responsibilities (as in an enterprise)
can men of different races live as partners — Elspeth Huxley
4. : one of the heavy timbers forming a framework built around an opening in the deck of a ship to strengthen the deck (as for the support of a mast) — usually used in plural
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. : to join or associate with another as a partner
British seapower, partnered with the French, beat them off — Time
2. : to be or act as the partner of
uncle has played alongside nephew and brother has partnered brother — William Morrow
intransitive verb
: to be or act as a partner
him and me, we partnered once — A.B.Mayse
he still partnered with Tom on the piers — R.O.Bowen