Partisan noun [ French, from Italian partigiano . See Party , and confer Partisan a truncheon.] [ Written also partizan .]
1. An adherent to a party or faction; esp., one who is strongly and passionately devoted to a party or an interest. "The violence of a partisan ." Macaulay.

Both sides had their partisans in the colony.

Jefferson.

2. (Mil.) (a) The commander of a body of detached light troops engaged in making forays and harassing an enemy. (b) Any member of such a corps.

Partisan adjective [ Written also partizan .]
1. Adherent to a party or faction; especially, having the character of blind, passionate, or unreasonable adherence to a party; as, blinded by partisan zeal.

2. (Mil.) Serving as a partisan in a detached command; as, a partisan officer or corps.

Partisan ranger (Mil.) , a member of a partisan corps.

Partisan noun [ French pertuisane , probably from Italian partigiana , influenced in French by Old French pertuisier to pierce. It was probably so named as the weapon of some partisans , or party men. Confer Partisan one of a corps of light troops.] A kind of halberd or pike; also, a truncheon; a staff.

And make him with our pikes and partisans a grave.

Shak.

Partisanship noun The state of being a partisan, or adherent to a party; feelings or conduct appropriate to a partisan.

Partita noun [ Italian ] (Mus.) A suite; a set of variations.

Partite adjective [ Latin partitus , past participle of partire to part, divide, from pars . See Part , and confer Party , adjective ] (Botany) Divided nearly to the base; as, a partite leaf is a simple separated down nearly to the base.

Partition noun [ French partition , Latin partitio . See Part , v. ]
1. The act of parting or dividing; the state of being parted; separation; division; distribution; as, the partition of a kingdom.

And good from bad find no partition .

Shak.

2. That which divides or separates; that by which different things, or distinct parts of the same thing, are separated; separating boundary; dividing line or space; specifically, an interior wall dividing one part or apartment of a house, an inclosure, or the like, from another; as, a brick partition ; lath and plaster partitions .

No sight could pass
Betwixt the nice partitions of the grass.

Dryden.

3. A part divided off by walls; an apartment; a compartment. [ R.] "Lodged in a small partition ." Milton.

4. (Law.) The servance of common or undivided interests, particularly in real estate. It may be effected by consent of parties, or by compulsion of law.

5. (Mus.) A score.

Partition of numbers (Math.) , the resolution of integers into parts subject to given conditions. Brande & C.

Partition transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Partitioned ; present participle & verbal noun Partitioning .]
1. To divide into parts or shares; to divide and distribute; as, to partition an estate among various heirs.

2. To divide into distinct parts by lines, walls, etc.; as, to partition a house.

Uniform without, though severally partitioned within.

Bacon.

Partitionment noun The act of partitioning.

Partitive adjective [ Confer French partitif .] (Gram.) Denoting a part; as, a partitive genitive.

Partitive noun (Gram.) A word expressing partition, or denoting a part.

Partitively adverb In a partitive manner.

Partlet noun [ Dim. of part .]
1. A covering for the neck, and sometimes for the shoulders and breast; originally worn by both sexes, but laterby women alone; a ruff. [ Obsolete] Fuller.

2. A hen; -- so called from the ruffing of her neck feathers. "Dame Partlett , the hen." Shak.

Partly adverb In part; in some measure of degree; not wholly. "I partly believe it." 1 Cor. xi. 18.

Partner noun [ For parcener , influenced by part .]
1. One who has a part in anything with an other; a partaker; an associate; a sharer. " Partner of his fortune." Shak. Hence: (a) A husband or a wife. (b) Either one of a couple who dance together. (c) One who shares as a member of a partnership in the management, or in the gains and losses, of a business.

My other self, the partner of my life.

Milton.

2. (Law) An associate in any business or occupation; a member of a partnership. See Partnership .

3. plural (Nautical) A framework of heavy timber surrounding an opening in a deck, to strengthen it for the support of a mast, pump, capstan, or the like.

Dormant , or Silent , partner . See under Dormant , adjective

Syn. -- Associate; colleague; coadjutor; confederate; partaker; participator; companion; comrade; mate.

Partner transitive verb To associate, to join. [ Obsolete] Shak.

Partnership noun
1. The state or condition of being a partner; as, to be in partnership with another; to have partnership in the fortunes of a family or a state.

2. A division or sharing among partners; joint possession or interest.

Rome, that ne'er knew three lordly heads before,
First fell by fatal partnership of power.

Rowe.

He does possession keep,
And is too wise to hazard partnership .

Dryden.

3. An alliance or association of persons for the prosecution of an undertaking or a business on joint account; a company; a firm; a house; as, to form a partnership .

4. (Law) A contract between two or more competent persons for joining together their money, goods, labor, and skill, or any or all of them, under an understanding that there shall be a communion of profit between them, and for the purpose of carrying on a legal trade, business, or adventure. Kent. Story.

» Community of profit is absolutely essential to, though not necessary the test of, a partnership.

5. (Arith.) See Fellowship , noun , 6.

Limited partnership , a form of partnership in which the firm consists of one or more general partners, jointly and severally responsible as ordinary partners, and one or more special partners, who are not liable for the debts of the partnership beyond the amount of cash they contribute as capital. -- Partnership in commendam , the title given to the limited partnership (F. société en commandité ) of the French law, introduced into the code of Louisiana. Burrill. -- Silent partnership , the relation of partnership sustained by a person who furnishes capital only.

Partook imperfect of Partake .

Partridge noun [ Middle English partriche , pertriche , Old French pertris , perdriz , French perdrix , Latin perdix , -icis , from Greek ....] (Zoology)
1. Any one of numerous species of small gallinaceous birds of the genus Perdix and several related genera of the family Perdicidæ , of the Old World. The partridge is noted as a game bird.

Full many a fat partrich had he in mew.

Chaucer.

» The common European, or gray, partridge ( Perdix cinerea ) and the red-legged partridge ( Caccabis rubra ) of Southern Europe and Asia are well-known species.

2. Any one of several species of quail-like birds belonging to Colinus , and allied genera. [ U.S.]

» Among them are the bobwhite ( Colinus Virginianus ) of the Eastern States; the plumed, or mountain, partridge ( Oreortyx pictus ) of California; the Massena partridge ( Cyrtonyx Montezumæ ); and the California partridge ( Callipepla Californica ).

3. The ruffed grouse ( Bonasa umbellus ). [ New Eng.]

Bamboo partridge (Zoology) , a spurred partridge of the genus Bambusicola . Several species are found in China and the East Indies. -- Night partridge (Zoology) , the woodcock. [ Local, U.S.] -- Painted partridge (Zoology) , a francolin of South Africa ( Francolinus pictus ). -- Partridge berry . (Botany) (a) The scarlet berry of a trailing american plant ( Mitchella repens ) of the order Rubiaceæ , having roundish evergreen leaves, and white fragrant flowers sometimes tinged with purple, growing in pairs with the ovaries united, and producing the berries which remain over winter; also, the plant itself . (b) The fruit of the creeping wintergreen ( Gaultheria procumbens ); also, the plant itself. -- Partridge dove (Zoology) Same as Mountain witch , under Mountain . -- Partridge pea (Botany) , a yellow-flowered leguminous herb ( Cassia Chamæcrista ), common in sandy fields in the Eastern United States. -- Partridge shell (Zoology) , a large marine univalve shell ( Dolium perdix ), having colors variegated like those of the partridge. -- Partridge wood (a) A variegated wood, much esteemed for cabinetwork. It is obtained from tropical America, and one source of it is said to be the leguminous tree Andira inermis . Called also pheasant wood . (b) A name sometimes given to the dark-colored and striated wood of some kind of palm, which is used for walking sticks and umbrella handles. -- Sea partridge (Zoology) , an Asiatic sand partridge ( Ammoperdix Bonhami ); -- so called from its note. -- Snow partridge (Zoology) , a large spurred partridge ( Lerwa nivicola ) which inhabits the high mountains of Asia. -- Spruce partridge . See under Spruce . -- Wood partridge , or Hill partridge (Zoology) , any small Asiatic partridge of the genus Arboricola .

Parture noun Departure. [ Obsolete] Spenser.

Parturiate intransitive verb [ See Parturient .] To bring forth young. [ Obsolete]

Parturiency noun Parturition.

Parturient adjective [ Latin parturiens , present participle of parturire to desire to bring forth, from parere , partum , to bring forth. See Parent .] Bringing forth, or about to bring forth, young; fruitful. Jer. Tailor.

Parturifacient noun [ Latin parturire to desire to bring forth + facere to make.] (Medicine) A medicine tending to cause parturition, or to give relief in childbearing. Dunglison.

Parturious adjective Parturient. [ Obsolete] Drayton.

Parturition noun [ Latin parturitio , from parturire : confer French parturition . See Parturient .]
1. The act of bringing forth, or being delivered of, young; the act of giving birth; delivery; childbirth.

2. That which is brought forth; a birth. [ Obsolete]

Parturitive adjective Pertaining to parturition; obstetric. [ R.]

Party noun ; plural Parties . [ French parti and partie , from French partir to part, divide, Latin partire , partiri . See Part , v. ]
1. A part or portion. [ Obsolete] "The most party of the time." Chaucer.

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.

Win the noble Brutus to our party .

Shak.

The peace both parties want is like to last.

Dryden.

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

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 .

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.

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

The cause of both parties shall come before the judges.

Ex. xxii. 9.

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

It the jury found that the party slain was of English race, it had been adjudged felony.

Sir J. Davies.

8. Cause; side; interest.

Have you nothing said
Upon this Party 'gainst the Duke of Albany?

Shak.

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

"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.

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) (Architecture) 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.

Party adjective [ French parti divided, from partir to divide. See Part , v. , and confer Partite .]
1. (Her.) Parted or divided, as in the direction or form of one of the ordinaries; as, an escutcheon party per pale.

2. Partial; favoring one party.

I will be true judge, and not party .

Chaucer.

Charter party . See under Charter .

Party adverb Partly. [ Obsolete] Chaucer.

Party-coated adjective Having a motley coat, or coat of divers colors. Shak.

Party-colored, Parti-colored adjective Colored with different tints; variegated; as, a party-colored flower. " Parti-colored lambs." Shak.

Partyism noun Devotion to party.

Parumbilical adjective [ Prefix para- + umbilical .] (Anat.) Near the umbilicus; -- applied especially to one or more small veins which, in man, connect the portal vein with the epigastric veins in the front wall of the abdomen.

Parure noun [ French, Old French pareure , Late Latin paraura , from Latin parare to prepare. See Pare .] An ornament or decoration for the person; esp., a decoration consisting of a set of ornaments to be used together; as, a parure of rubies or of embroideries.

Parusia noun [ New Latin , from Greek ... presence, from ... to be present; para` beside + ... to be.] (Rhet.) A figure of speech by which the present tense is used instead of the past or the future, as in the animated narration of past, or in the prediction of future, events.

Parvanimity noun [ Latin parvus little + animus mind.] The state or quality of having a little or ignoble mind; pettiness; meanness; -- opposed to magnanimity . De Quincey.

Parvenu noun [ French, propast participle p. of parvenir to attain to, to succeed, to rise to high station, Latin pervenire to come to; per through + venire to come. See Par , preposition , and Come .] An upstart; a man newly risen into notice.

Parvis, Parvise noun [ French parvis , from Late Latin paravisus , from Latin paradisus . See Paradise .] a court of entrance to, or an inclosed space before, a church; hence, a church porch; -- sometimes formerly used as place of meeting, as for lawyers. Chaucer.

Parvitude, Parvity noun [ Latin parvitas , from parvus little: confer Old French parvité .] Littleness. [ Obsolete] Glanvill. Ray.

Parvolin noun (Physiol. Chem.) A nonoxygenous ptomaine, formed in the putrefaction of albuminous matters, especially of horseflesh and mackerel.

Parvoline noun (Chemistry) A liquid base, C...H...N, of the pyridine group, found in coal tar; also, any one of the series of isometric substances of which it is the type.

Pas noun [ French See Pace .]
1. A pace; a step, as in a dance. Chaucer.

2. Right of going foremost; precedence. Arbuthnot.

Pasan noun (Zoology) The gemsbok.

Pasch Pas"cha noun [ Anglo-Saxon pascha , Latin pascha , Greek ..., from Hebrew pesach , from pāsach to pass over: confer Old French pasque , French pâque . Confer Paschal , Paas , Paque .] The passover; the feast of Easter.

Pasch egg . See Easter egg , under Easter . -- Pasch flower . See Pasque flower , under Pasque .

Paschal adjective [ Latin paschalis : confer French pascal . See Pasch .] Of or pertaining to the passover, or to Easter; as, a paschal lamb; paschal eggs. Longfellow.

Paschal candle (R. C. Ch.) , a large wax candle, blessed and placed on the altar on Holy Saturday, or the day before Easter. -- Paschal flower . See Pasque flower , under Pasque .

Paseng noun (Zoology) The wild or bezoar goat. See Goat .

Pash transitive verb [ Prob. of imitative origin, or possibly akin to box to fight with the fists.] To strike; to crush; to smash; to dash in pieces. [ Obsolete] P. Plowman. "I'll pash him o'er the face." Shak.

Pash noun [ Scot., the pate. Confer Pash , transitive verb ]
1. The head; the poll. [ R.] "A rough pash ." Shak.

2. A crushing blow. [ Obsolete]

3. A heavy fall of rain or snow. [ Prov. Eng.]

Pasha noun [ Turk. pāshā , bāshā ; confer Persian bāshā , bādshāh ; perhaps a corruption of Persian pādishāh . Confer Bashaw , Padishah , Shah .] An honorary title given to officers of high rank in Turkey, as to governers of provinces, military commanders, etc. The earlier form was bashaw . [ Written also pacha .]

» There are three classes of pashas, whose rank is distinguished by the number of the horsetails borne on their standards, being one, two, or three, a pasha of three tails being the highest.