Word: party Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English party, partye, partie, from Anglo-Norman partie, from Old French partie (“side, part; portion, share; separation, division”, literally “that which is divided”), noun use of feminine of past participle of Old French partir (“to divide, separate”), from Latin partire (“to share, part, distribute, divide”), from pars (“a part, piece, a share”); see also part. First attested in c. 1300. Doublet of partita. The sense of communist party of a communist state derives Russian партия (partija), short for Коммунистическая партия (Kommunističeskaja partija). By surface analysis, part + -y (“noun suffix”). Pronunciation: /ˈpɑːti/, /ˈpɑɹti/, [ˈpʰɑɹɾi], /ˈpɐːti/, [ˈpʰɐːɾi] 1. A person or group of people constituting one side in a legal proceeding, such as in a legal action or a contract. Example: The contract requires that the party of the first part pay the fee. Example: if the Jury had found that the party slain had been of English race and nation, it had been adjudged felony 2. A person; an individual. Labels: dated, humorous, slang, vulgar Example: He is a queer party. Example: `These young parties have a way of looking at one, sir,' he would say apologetically, `which I don't call respectable.' 3. A person; an individual. Labels: dated, humorous, slang, vulgar Example: I can't possibly be (a) party to that kind of reckless behaviour. 4. A group of people forming one side in a given dispute, contest, etc., or united in maintaining a cause, policy, or opinion in opposition to others; a faction. Labels: archaic, broadly Example: A mile back in the forest the tribe had heard the fierce challenge of the gorilla, and, as was his custom when any danger threatened, Kerchak called his people together, partly for mutual protection against a common enemy, since this gorilla might be but one of a party of several, and also to see that all members of the tribe were accounted for. 5. A group of people forming one side in a given dispute, contest, etc., or united in maintaining a cause, policy, or opinion in opposition to others; a faction. Labels: archaic, broadly Example: The green party took 12% of the vote. Example: His party was campaigning successfuly. 6. A group of people forming one side in a given dispute, contest, etc., or united in maintaining a cause, policy, or opinion in opposition to others; a faction. Labels: archaic, broadly 7. A group of people forming one side in a given dispute, contest, etc., or united in maintaining a cause, policy, or opinion in opposition to others; a faction. Labels: archaic, broadly, dated 8. A group of people forming one side in a given dispute, contest, etc., or united in maintaining a cause, policy, or opinion in opposition to others; a faction. Labels: Internet, archaic, broadly 9. A group of people forming one side in a given dispute, contest, etc., or united in maintaining a cause, policy, or opinion in opposition to others; a faction. Labels: archaic, broadly 10. A detachment of troops selected for a particular service or duty. Example: boarding party Example: The settlers were attacked early next morning by a scouting party. 11. A group of people gathered together, especially temporarily, for a specific purpose such as travel or sport. Example: We're expecting a large party from the London office. Example: Do you have a table available for a party of four? 12. A group of people gathered together, especially temporarily, for a specific purpose such as travel or sport. Example: I'm throwing a huge party for my 21st birthday. Example: So-So, tonight, tonight, let’s look at where that time actually goes, and let’s begin with the most obvious form of fundraising: fundraisers. These are usually shitty parties in D.C. bars, restaurants, or townhouses, and there are a lot of them! The Sunlight Foundation estimates that, in the last election cycle, members of Congress held over 28 hundred fundraisers! Washington is like Rod Stewart’s haircut: party in the front, party in the back, frankly too much party and no business anywhere to be found! 13. A group of people gathered together, especially temporarily, for a specific purpose such as travel or sport. Example: Tupperware party Example: lingerie party 14. A small group of birds or mammals. Example: Small parties of cattle were seen browsing in places where they must with with difficulty have kept their footing[.] Example: A party of mynas, consisting of several males and females, once selected the top of a low terraced roof, just below my verandah, as a site for courting and quarrelling. 15. A part or portion. Labels: obsolete Example: And so the moost party of the castel that was falle doune thorugh that dolorous stroke laye vpon Pellam and balyn thre dayes. 16. A prospective partner or an offer of marriage. Labels: obsolete 17. A decision, resolution, agreement. Labels: obsolete