part (pärt)
n.

1. A portion, division, piece, or segment of a whole.
2. Any of several equal portions or fractions that can constitute a whole or into which a whole can be divided: a mixture of two parts flour to one part sugar.
3. A division of a literary work: a novel in three parts.
4. (used with a pl. v.)
   1. An organ, member, or other division of an organism: A tail is not a part of a guinea pig.
   2. parts The external genitals.
5. A component that can be separated from or attached to a system; a detachable piece: spare parts for cars.
6. A role: He has the main part in the play.
7. One's responsibility, duty, or obligation; share: We each do our part to keep the house clean.
8. Individual endowment or ability; talent. Often used in the plural.
9. A region, area, land, or territory. Often used in the plural: "Minding your own business is second nature in these parts" (Boston).
10. The line where the hair on the head is parted.
11. Music.
    1. The music or score for a particular instrument, as in an orchestra.
    2. One of the melodic divisions or voices of a contrapuntal composition.

v., part·ed, part·ing, parts.

v.tr.

1. To divide or break into separate parts.
2. To break up (a relationship) by separating the elements involved: parted company.
3. To put or keep apart: No one could part the two friends.
4. To comb (hair, for example) away from a dividing line, as on the scalp.
5. Archaic. To divide into shares or portions.

v.intr.

1. To become divided or separated: The curtain parted in the middle.
2. To go apart from one another; separate: They parted as friends. They were forced to part from one another. See synonyms at separate.
3. To separate or divide into ways going in different directions: The road parts about halfway into the forest.
4. To go away; depart.
5. To disagree by factions: The committee parted over the issue of pay raises for employees.
6. Archaic. To die.

adv.
Partially; in part: part yellow, part green.

adj.
Not full or complete; partial: a part owner of the business.

phrasal verb:

part with

1. To give up or let go of; relinquish.

idioms:

for (one's) part

1. So far as one is concerned.

for the most part

1. To the greater extent; generally or mostly.

in good part

1. Good-naturedly or with good grace; without taking offense: take a joke in good part.

in part

1. To some extent; partly.

on the part of

1. Regarding or with respect to (the one specified): Brilliant strategy on the part of Confederate forces ensured their victory at Chancellorsville.

part and parcel

1. A basic or essential part: Working overtime is part and parcel of my job.

take part

1. To join in; participate: She took part in the celebration.

take (someone's) part

1. To side with in a disagreement; support.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin pars, part-.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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