*party*

adj. 1. not based upon or representing political parties; as, a nonparty regime. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

{ } a. Colored with different tints; variegated; as, a party-colored flower. “Parti-colored lambs.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Parties [ F. parti and partie, fr. F. partir to part, divide, L. partire, partiri. See Part, v. ] 1. A part or portion. [ Obs. ] “The most party of the time.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A number of persons united in opinion or action, as distinguished from, or opposed to, the rest of a community or association; esp., one of the parts into which a people is divided on questions of public policy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Win the noble Brutus to our party. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The peace both parties want is like to last. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A part of a larger body of company; a detachment; especially (Mil.), a small body of troops dispatched on special service. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A number of persons invited to a social entertainment; a select company; as, a dinner party; also, the entertainment itself; as, to give a party. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. One concerned or interested in an affair; one who takes part with others; a participator; as, he was a party to the plot; a party to the contract. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. The plaintiff or the defendant in a lawsuit, whether an individual, a firm, or corporation; a litigant. [ 1913 Webster ]

The cause of both parties shall come before the judges. Ex. xxii. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. Hence, any certain person who is regarded as being opposed or antagonistic to another. [ 1913 Webster ]

If the jury found that the party slain was of English race, it had been adjudged felony. Sir J. Davies. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. Cause; side; interest. [ 1913 Webster ]

Have you nothing said
Upon this Party 'gainst the Duke of Albany? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. A person; as, he is a queer party. [ Now accounted a vulgarism. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

“For several generations, our ancestors largely employed party for person; but this use of the word, when it appeared to be reviving, happened to strike, more particularly, the fancy of the vulgar; and the consequence has been, that the polite have chosen to leave it in their undisputed possession.” Fitzed. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

Party jury (Law), a jury composed of different parties, as one which is half natives and half foreigners. --
Party man, a partisan. Swift. --
Party spirit, a factious and unreasonable temper, not uncommonly shown by party men. Whately. --
Party verdict, a joint verdict. Shak. --
Party wall. (a) (Arch.) A wall built upon the dividing line between two adjoining properties, usually having half its thickness on each property. (b) (Law) A wall that separates adjoining houses, as in a block or row. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. parti divided, fr. partir to divide. See Part, v., and cf. Partite. ] 1. (Her.) Parted or divided, as in the direction or form of one of the ordinaries; as, an escutcheon party per pale. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Partial; favoring one party; partisan. [ 1913 Webster ]

I will be true judge, and not party. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Charter party. See under Charter. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Partly. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having a motley coat, or coat of divers colors. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Someone who is attending a party{ 4 }; as, the hall was crowded with an overflow of partygoers. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. Devotion to party. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (U. S. Politics) A party formed in 1891, advocating an increase of the currency, public ownership and operation of railroads, telegraphs, etc., an income tax, limitation in ownership of land, etc. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n.; pl. Pourparties [ See Purparty. ] (Law) A division; a divided share. [ 1913 Webster ]

To make pourparty, to divide and apportion lands previously held in common. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (U. S. History) The political party formed, chiefly out of the Republican party, by the adherents of Theodore Roosevelt in the presidential campaign of 1912. The name Progressive party was chosen at the meeting held on Aug. 7, 1912, when the candidates were nominated and the platform adopted. It was also known as the Bull Moose Party. Among the chief articles in the platform are those demanding direct primaries, preferential primaries for presidential nominations, direct election of United States senators, women's suffrage, and recall of judicial decisions in certain cases. In 1924 the label was also adopted by the party supporting the presidential campaign of Robert M. La Follette, and in 1948 it was also adopted by the party of Henry Wallace. The party is no longer (1998) considered a force in U. S. national politics. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. + PJC ]

n. [ OF. pourpartie; pour for + partie a part; cf. OF. purpart a respective part. ] (Law) A share, part, or portion of an estate allotted to a coparcener. [ Written also purpart, and pourparty. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I am forced to eat all the game of your purparties, as well as my own thirds. Walpole. [ 1913 Webster ]