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part1 definition

part (pärt)

noun

  1. a portion or division of a whole; specif.,
    1. any of several equal portions, quantities, numbers, pieces, etc. of which something is composed or into which it can be divided a cent is a 100th part of a dollar
    2. an essential element or constituent; integral portion which can be separated, replaced, etc. automobile parts
    3. a portion detached or cut from a whole; fragment; piece
    4. a certain amount but not all to lose part of one's fortune
    5. a certain amount or section regarded as a separate division
    6. a segment or organ of the body of men and animals
    7. a division of a literary work
    8. Math. an aliquot part
  2. a portion assigned or given; share; specif.,
    1. something a person must do; share of work or duty to do one's part
    2. interest or concern to have some part in a matter
    3. talent; ability a man of parts
    4. a character or role in a theatrical presentation; also, the words, actions, etc. of a character in a play
    5. Music the score for a particular voice or instrument in a concerted piece; also, any of the voices or instruments in a musical ensemble
    1. a region; area
    2. a portion of a country; district
  3. one of the different sides or parties in a transaction, dispute, conflict, etc.
  4. ☆ the dividing line formed by combing the hair in different directions

Etymology: ME < OE & OFr, both < L pars (gen. partis) < IE base *per-, to sell, hand over in sale, make equal > L par, equal, parare, to equate

transitive verb

  1. to break or divide into separate parts
  2. to comb (the hair) in different directions so as to leave a dividing line
  3. to break up (a connection or relationship) by separating those involved
  4. to separate (two or more persons or things); break or hold apart
  5. to separate (substances) as by a chemical process
  6. Archaic to distribute; share; apportion
  7. Naut. to break or undergo the breaking of (a hawser, chain, etc.)

Etymology: ME parten < OFr partir < L partire, to divide, separate < the n.

intransitive verb

  1. to break or divide into two or more pieces
  2. to separate and go different ways, as branches of a river
  3. to separate; leave each other; cease associating
    1. to go away; leave; depart: with from
    2. to die

adjective

of or having to do with only a part; partial

adverb

partly; in part
part Idioms

for one's part

as far as one is concerned

for the most part

in the greatest part or to the greatest extent; mostly; generally

in good part

  1. good-naturedly
  2. generally; mostly

in part

to a certain extent or degree; partly

on the part of someone

  1. as far as someone is concerned
  2. by or coming from someone

part with

to give up; let go; relinquish

play a part

  1. to behave unnaturally in an attempt to deceive
  2. to participate or share

take someone's part

to support someone in a struggle or disagreement; side with someone
part2 definition

part

  1. participial
  2. participle
  3. particular

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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