part

n.

1. A portion

   piece, portion, fragment, fraction, section, segment, division, share, sector, member, allotment, apportionment, ingredient, element, subsystem, slab, subdivision, partition, particle, installment, component, constituent, bit, slice, rasher, scrap, chip, chunk, lump, sliver, splinter, shaving, shard, molecule, atom, electron, proton, neutron; see also share.

   Antonyms whole*, total*, aggregate. *

2. A machine part

   molding, casting, fitting, lever, shaft, cam, spring, band, belt, chain, pulley, clutch, spare part, replacement; see also bolt 1, brace 1, frame 1, 2, gear 2, machine 1, nut 2, rod 1, wheel 1.

3. A character in a drama

   hero, heroine, character; see role.

part is the general word for any of the components of a whole a part of one's life; a portion is specifically a part allotted to someone her portion of the inheritance; a piece is either a part separated from the whole a piece of pie or a single standardized unit of a collection a piece of statuary; a division is a part formed by cutting, partitioning, classifying, etc. the fine-arts division of a library; section is equivalent to division but usually connotes a smaller part a section of a bookcase; segment implies a part separated along natural lines of division a segment of a tangerine; a fraction is strictly a part contained by the whole an integral number of times, but generally connotes an insignificant part he received only a fraction of the benefits; a fragment is a relatively small part separated by or as if by breaking off a fragment of rock, a fragment of a song

for one's part

for the most part

in good part

in part

on one's part

on the part of

play a part

1. behave unnaturally, put on, disguise; see deceive.

2. share, join, take part; see participate 1.

take someone's part

part

v.

1. To put apart

   separate, break, sever; see divide 1.

2. To depart

   withdraw, take leave, part company; see leave 1. See syn. study at separate.