n. [ F. part, L. pars, gen. partis; cf. parere to bring forth, produce. Cf. Parent, Depart, Parcel, Partner, Party, Portion. ] 1. One of the portions, equal or unequal, into which anything is divided, or regarded as divided; something less than a whole; a number, quantity, mass, or the like, regarded as going to make up, with others, a larger number, quantity, mass, etc., whether actually separate or not; a piece; a fragment; a fraction; a division; a member; a constituent. [ 1913 Webster ]

And kept back part of the price, . . . and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles'feet. Acts v. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

Our ideas of extension and number -- do they not contain a secret relation of the parts ? Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

I am a part of all that I have met. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, specifically: (a) An equal constituent portion; one of several or many like quantities, numbers, etc., into which anything is divided, or of which it is composed; proportional division or ingredient. [ 1913 Webster ]

An homer is the tenth part of an ephah. Ex. xvi. 36. [ 1913 Webster ]

A thought which, quartered, hath but one part wisdom,
And ever three parts coward. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

(b) A constituent portion of a living or spiritual whole; a member; an organ; an essential element. [ 1913 Webster ]

All the parts were formed . . . into one harmonious body. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

The pulse, the glow of every part. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ]

(c) A constituent of character or capacity; quality; faculty; talent; -- usually in the plural with a collective sense. “Men of considerable parts.” Burke. “Great quickness of parts.” Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Which maintained so politic a state of evil, that they will not admit any good part to intermingle with them. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

(d) Quarter; region; district; -- usually in the plural. “The uttermost part of the heaven.” Neh. i. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

All parts resound with tumults, plaints, and fears. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

(e) (Math.) Such portion of any quantity, as when taken a certain number of times, will exactly make that quantity; as, 3 is a part of 12; -- the opposite of multiple. Also, a line or other element of a geometrical figure. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which belongs to one, or which is assumed by one, or which falls to one, in a division or apportionment; share; portion; lot; interest; concern; duty; office. [ 1913 Webster ]

We have no part in David. 2 Sam. xx. 1. [ 1913 Webster ]

Accuse not Nature! she hath done her part;
Do thou but thine. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let me bear
My part of danger with an equal share. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Hence, specifically: (a) One of the opposing parties or sides in a conflict or a controversy; a faction. [ 1913 Webster ]

For he that is not against us is on our part. Mark ix. 40. [ 1913 Webster ]

Make whole kingdoms take her brother's part. Waller. [ 1913 Webster ]

(b) A particular character in a drama or a play; an assumed personification; also, the language, actions, and influence of a character or an actor in a play; or, figuratively, in real life; as, to play the part of Macbeth. See To act a part, under Act. [ 1913 Webster ]

That part
Was aptly fitted and naturally performed. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Honor and shame from no condition rise;
Act well your part, there all the honor lies. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

(c) (Mus.) One of the different melodies of a concerted composition, which heard in union compose its harmony; also, the music for each voice or instrument; as, the treble, tenor, or bass part; the violin part, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

For my part, so far as concerns me; for my share. --
For the most part. See under Most, a. --
In good part, as well done; favorably; acceptably; in a friendly manner; as, to take an act in good part. Hooker. --
In ill part, unfavorably; with displeasure. --
In part, in some degree; partly. --
Part and parcel, an essential or constituent portion; -- a reduplicative phrase. Cf. might and main, kith and kin, etc. “She was . . . part and parcel of the race and place.” Howitt. --
Part of speech (Gram.), a sort or class of words of a particular character; thus, the noun is a part of speech denoting the name of a thing; the verb is a part of speech which asserts something of the subject of a sentence. --
Part owner (Law), one of several owners or tenants in common. See Joint tenant, under Joint. --
Part singing, singing in which two or more of the harmonic parts are taken. --
Part song, a song in two or more (commonly four) distinct vocal parts. “A part song differs from a madrigal in its exclusion of contrapuntual devices; from a glee, in its being sung by many voices, instead of by one only, to each part.” Stainer & Barrett. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Portion; section; division; fraction; fragment; piece; share; constituent. See Portion, and Section. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Partly; in a measure. [ R. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Parted; p. pr. & vb. n. Parting. ] [ F. partir, L. partire, partiri, p. p. partitus, fr. pars, gen. partis, a part. See Part, n. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To divide; to separate into distinct parts; to break into two or more parts or pieces; to sever. “Thou shalt part it in pieces.” Lev. ii. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

There, [ celestial love ] parted into rainbow hues. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To divide into shares; to divide and distribute; to allot; to apportion; to share. [ 1913 Webster ]

To part his throne, and share his heaven with thee. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

They parted my raiment among them. John xix. 24. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To separate or disunite; to cause to go apart; to remove from contact or contiguity; to sunder. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Lord do so to me, and more also, if aught but death part thee and me. Ruth i. 17. [ 1913 Webster ]

While he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. Luke xxiv. 51. [ 1913 Webster ]

The narrow seas that part
The French and English. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Hence: To hold apart; to stand between; to intervene betwixt, as combatants. [ 1913 Webster ]

The stumbling night did part our weary powers. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To separate by a process of extraction, elimination, or secretion; as, to part gold from silver. [ 1913 Webster ]

The liver minds his own affair, . . .
And parts and strains the vital juices. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. To leave; to quit. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Since presently your souls must part your bodies. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. To separate (a collection of objects) into smaller collections; as, to part one's hair in the middle. [ PJC ]

To part a cable (Naut.), to break it. --
To part company, to separate, as travelers or companions. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To be broken or divided into parts or pieces; to break; to become separated; to go asunder; as, rope parts; his hair parts in the middle. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To go away; to depart; to take leave; to quit each other; hence, to die; -- often with from. [ 1913 Webster ]

He wrung Bassanio's hand, and so they parted. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

He owned that he had parted from the duke only a few hours before. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

His precious bag, which he would by no means part from. G. Eliot. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To perform an act of parting; to relinquish a connection of any kind; -- followed by with or from; as, to part with one's money. [ 1913 Webster ]

Celia, for thy sake, I part
With all that grew so near my heart. Waller. [ 1913 Webster ]

Powerful hands . . . will not part
Easily from possession won with arms. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

It was strange to him that a father should feel no tenderness at parting with an only son. A. Trollope. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To have a part or share; to partake. [ Obs. ] “They shall part alike.” 1 Sam. xxx. 24. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. See Partible. Camden. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. See Part, v. & n. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Division; the act of dividing or sharing. [ Obs. ] Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Part; portion; share. [ Obs. ] Ford. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. Partook p. p. Partaken p. pr. & vb. n. Partaking. ] [ Part + take. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To take a part, portion, lot, or share, in common with others; to have a share or part; to participate; to share; as, to partake of a feast with others. “Brutes partake in this faculty.” Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

When I against myself with thee partake. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To have something of the properties, character, or office; -- usually followed by of. [ 1913 Webster ]

The attorney of the Duchy of Lancaster partakes partly of a judge, and partly of an attorney-general. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To partake of; to have a part or share in; to share. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let every one partake the general joy. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To admit to a share; to cause to participate; to give a part to. [ Obs. ] Spencer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To distribute; to communicate. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who partakes; a sharer; a participator. [ 1913 Webster ]

Partakers of their spiritual things. Rom. xv. 27. [ 1913 Webster ]

Wish me partaker in my happiness. Shark. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An accomplice; an associate; a partner. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Partakers wish them in the blood of the prophets. Matt. xxiii. 30. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. Ir. & Gael. partan. ] (Zool.) An edible British crab. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]