Pārt1, n.
n. [Fr. & Pr. part, Sp., Pg., & It. parte, Lat. pars, partis.]
Sense 1. One of the portions, equal or unequal, into which any thing 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, &c.; a piece; a fragment; a fraction; a division; a member; a constituent.
Our ideas of extension and number—do they not contain a secret relation of the parts? Locke.
Sense 2. Hence, specifically, (a.) An equal constituent portion; one of several or many like quantities or numbers, or the like, into which any thing is divided, or of which it is made up; proportional division or ingredient.
An homer is the tenth part of an ephah. Ex. xvi. 36.
(b.) An organic or essential element; a constituent portion of a living or spiritual whole; a member; an organ.
All the parts were formed in his mind into one harmonious whole. Locke.
(c.) Constituents of character or capacity, taken collectively; qualities; faculties; talents;—used in the plural. “Men of considerable parts.” Burke. “Great quickness of parts.” Macaulay.
(d.) Quarters; regions; districts;—used in the plural.
All parts resound with tumults, plaints, and fears. Dryden.
Sense 3. That which falls to one in a division; share; portion; lot.
Let me bear My part of danger with an equal share. Dryden.
Sense 4. Hence, concern; interest; participation; share.
We have no part in David. 2 Sam. xx. 1.
Sense 5. Side; party; interest; faction. “Makes whole kingdoms take her brother’s part.” Waller.
Sense 6. Share of labor, action, or influence; allotted duty; specially appropriated office.
Accuse not Nature; she hath done her part; Do thou but thine. Milton.
Sense 7. Hence, character appropriated to one in a play or other like performance; the language, actions, and influence of a single performer in a drama, or the like.
That part Was aptly filled, and naturally performed. Shak.
Sense 8. (Mus.) One of the different melodies of an harmonic composition, which, heard in union, compose its harmony; as, the treble, tenor, or bass part; the violin part; the clarionet part.
Sense 9. (Math.) (a.) Such a 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. (b.) A line or other element of a figure.
For my part, so far as concerns me; for my share.—For the most part, commonly; oftener than otherwise.—In good part, as well done; favorably; acceptably; in a friendly manner; not in displeasure. “God accepteth it in good part at the hands of faithful men.” Hooker.—In ill part, as ill done; unfavorably; with displeasure.—In part, in some degree or extent; partly.—Part and parcel, an essential portion; a part. “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, comprising the names of things, or those vocal sounds which usage has attached to things; the verb is a part of speech expressing motion, action, or being, as predicated of a thing.
Synonyms—Portion; section; division; fraction; fragment; member; share; constituent. See PORTION and SECTION.