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n. pl. par·ties 1. A social gathering especially for pleasure or amusement: a birthday party. 2. a. A group of people who have gathered to participate in an activity: a search party. b. A group of soldiers selected for a duty or mission: a raiding party. 3. An established political group organized to promote and support its principles and candidates for public office. 4. a. A person or group involved in an enterprise; a participant or accessory: I refuse to be a party to your silly scheme. b. Law A person or entity that participates in a transaction, makes a contract, or is involved in a lawsuit as a litigant. 5. a. A subscriber to a telephone party line. b. A person using a telephone. 6. A person: "And though Grainger was a spry old party, such steps couldn't be his" (Anthony Hyde). adj. 1. Of, relating to, or participating in an established political organization: party members; party politics. 2. Suitable for use at a social gathering: party dresses; a party hat. 3. Characteristic of a pleasurable social gathering: a party atmosphere. intr.v. par·tied, par·ty·ing, par·ties To celebrate or carouse at a party or similar gathering: That night we partied until dawn. [Middle English partie, part, side, group, from Old French, from feminine past participle of partir, to divide, from Latin partīre, from pars, part-, part; see PART.] parti·er, party·er n. |
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