party

n.; pl. Parties [ F. parti and partie, fr. F. partir to part, divide, L. partire, partiri. See Part, v. ] 1. A part or portion. [ Obs. ] “The most party of the time.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A number of persons united in opinion or action, as distinguished from, or opposed to, the rest of a community or association; esp., one of the parts into which a people is divided on questions of public policy. [ 1913 Webster ]

Win the noble Brutus to our party. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The peace both parties want is like to last. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A part of a larger body of company; a detachment; especially (Mil.), a small body of troops dispatched on special service. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A number of persons invited to a social entertainment; a select company; as, a dinner party; also, the entertainment itself; as, to give a party. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. One concerned or interested in an affair; one who takes part with others; a participator; as, he was a party to the plot; a party to the contract. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. The plaintiff or the defendant in a lawsuit, whether an individual, a firm, or corporation; a litigant. [ 1913 Webster ]

The cause of both parties shall come before the judges. Ex. xxii. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. Hence, any certain person who is regarded as being opposed or antagonistic to another. [ 1913 Webster ]

If the jury found that the party slain was of English race, it had been adjudged felony. Sir J. Davies. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. Cause; side; interest. [ 1913 Webster ]

Have you nothing said
Upon this Party 'gainst the Duke of Albany? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. A person; as, he is a queer party. [ Now accounted a vulgarism. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

“For several generations, our ancestors largely employed party for person; but this use of the word, when it appeared to be reviving, happened to strike, more particularly, the fancy of the vulgar; and the consequence has been, that the polite have chosen to leave it in their undisputed possession.” Fitzed. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

Party jury (Law), a jury composed of different parties, as one which is half natives and half foreigners. --
Party man, a partisan. Swift. --
Party spirit, a factious and unreasonable temper, not uncommonly shown by party men. Whately. --
Party verdict, a joint verdict. Shak. --
Party wall. (a) (Arch.) A wall built upon the dividing line between two adjoining properties, usually having half its thickness on each property. (b) (Law) A wall that separates adjoining houses, as in a block or row. [ 1913 Webster ]