PART
noun
Synonyms
Portion; section; division; fraction; fragment; piece; share; constituent. See Portion, and Section.
Definitions
- 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. And kept back part of the price, . . . and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles'feet. Acts v. 2. Our ideas of extension and number -- do they not contain a secret relation of the parts Locke. I am a part of all that I have met. Tennyson.
- 2. Hence, specifically:
- 3. 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. An homer is the tenth part of an ephah. Ex. xvi. 36. A thought which, quartered, hath but one part wisdom, And ever three parts coward. Shak.
- 4. A constituent portion of a living or spiritual whole; a member; an organ; an essential element. All the parts were formed . . . into one harmonious body. Locke. The pulse, the glow of every part. Keble.
- 5. 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. Which maintained so politic a state of evil, that they will not admit any good part to intermingle with them. Shak.
- 6. Quarter; region; district; -- usually in the plural. "The uttermost part of the heaven." Neh. i. 9. All parts resound with tumults, plaints, and fears. Dryden.
- 7. 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.
- 8. 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. We have no part in David. 2 Sam. xx. 1. Accuse not Nature! she hath done her part; Do thou but thine. Milton. Let me bear My part of danger with an equal share. Dryden.
- 9. Hence, specifically:
- 10. One of the opposing parties or sides in a conflict or a controversy; a faction. For he that is not against us is on our part. Mark ix. 40. Make whole kingdoms take her brother's part. Waller.
- 11. 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. See To act a part, under Act. That part Was aptly fitted and naturally performed. Shak. It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf. Shak. Honor and shame from no condition rise; Act well your part, there all the honor lies. Pope.
- 12. 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. 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. 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.
Other Definitions
This word also has 2 other definitions:
Added: October 09, 2025
Updated: October 09, 2025