Main Entry: ¹part

Pronunciation: \ˈpärt\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French & Old English, both from Latin part-, pars; perhaps akin to Latin parare to prepare — more at pare

Date: before 12th century

1 a (1) : one of the often indefinite or unequal subdivisions into which something is or is regarded as divided and which together constitute the whole (2) : an essential portion or integral element b : one of several or many equal units of which something is composed or into which it is divisible : an amount equal to another amount <mix one part of the powder with three parts of water> c (1) : an exact divisor of a quantity : aliquot (2) : partial fraction d : one of the constituent elements of a plant or animal body: as (1) : organ, member (2) plural : private parts e : a division of a literary work f (1) : a vocal or instrumental line or melody in concerted music or in harmony (2) : a particular voice or instrument in concerted music; also : the score for it g : a constituent member of a machine or other apparatus; also : a spare part
2 : something falling to one in a division or apportionment : share <wanted no part of the proposal>
3 : one's share or allotted task (as in an action) : duty <one must do one's part>
4 : one of the opposing sides in a conflict or dispute
5 : a general area of indefinite boundaries —usually used in plural <you're not from around these parts> <took off for parts unknown>
6 : a function or course of action performed
7 a : an actor's lines in a play b : the role of a character in a play
8 : a constituent of character or capacity : talent <a man of many parts>
9 : the line where the hair is parted

— for one's part : as far as one's share or interest is concerned <for my part, I do not see that the difference is important — Mary McCarthy>

— for the most part : in general : on the whole <for the most part the crowd was orderly>

— in part : in some degree : partially

— on one's part or on the part of one : with regard to the one specified

synonyms part, portion, piece, member, division, section, segment, fragment mean something less than the whole. part is a general term appropriate when indefiniteness is required <they ran only part of the way>. portion implies an assigned or allotted part <cut the pie into six portions>. piece applies to a separate or detached part of a whole <a puzzle with 500 pieces>. member suggests one of the functional units composing a body <a structural member>. division applies to a large or diversified part <the manufacturing division of the company>. section applies to a relatively small or uniform part <the entertainment section of the newspaper>. segment applies to a part separated or marked out by or as if by natural lines of cleavage <the retired segment of the population>. fragment applies to a part produced by or as if by breaking off <only a fragment of the play still exists>.