{ ‖, a. [ F. componé. ] (Her.) Divided into squares of alternate tinctures in a single row; -- said of any bearing; or, in the case of a bearing having curved lines, divided into patches of alternate colors following the curve. If there are two rows it is called counter-compony. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Companies [ F. compagnie, fr. OF. compaing. See Companion. ] 1. The state of being a companion or companions; the act of accompanying; fellowship; companionship; society; friendly intercourse. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Evil company doth corrupt good manners. 1 Cor. xv. 33. (Rev. Ver.). [ 1913 Webster ]

Brethren, farewell: your company along
I will not wish. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A companion or companions. [ 1913 Webster ]

To thee and thy company I bid
A hearty welcome. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An assemblage or association of persons, either permanent or transient. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou shalt meet a company of prophets. 1 Sam. x. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Guests or visitors, in distinction from the members of a family; as, to invite company to dine. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Society, in general; people assembled for social intercourse. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nature has left every man a capacity of being agreeable, though not of shining in company. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. An association of persons for the purpose of carrying on some enterprise or business; a corporation; a firm; as, the East India Company; an insurance company; a joint-stock company. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. Partners in a firm whose names are not mentioned in its style or title; -- often abbreviated in writing; as, Hottinguer & Co. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Mil.) A subdivision of a regiment of troops under the command of a captain, numbering in the United States (full strength) 100 men. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. (Naut.) The crew of a ship, including the officers; as, a whole ship's company. [ 1913 Webster ]

10. The body of actors employed in a theater or in the production of a play. [ 1913 Webster ]

To keep company with. See under Keep, v. t.

Syn. -- Assemblage; assembly; society; group; circle; crowd; troop; crew; gang; corporation; association; fraternity; guild; partnership; copartnery; union; club; party; gathering. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Companied p. pr. & vb. n. Companying. ] To accompany or go with; to be companion to. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To associate. [ 1913 Webster ]

Men which have companied with us all the time. Acts i. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To be a gay companion. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To have sexual commerce. [ Obs. ] Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]