part

¹part

noun \ˈpärt\

Definition of PART

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

Examples of PART

1. The entire book is good, but the best part is the ending.
2. I don't remember him saying that. I must have missed that part.
3. The mechanic had to order the part from the manufacturer.
4. The parts of a radio include the speaker, dials, and antenna.
5. Do you have any spare parts for this model of car?
6. the moving parts of the machine
7. parts of the human body
8. My favorite part of the chicken is the drumstick.
9. a diagram labeling the different parts of the flower
10. Come join us and be part of a winning team.

Origin of PART

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to PART

Synonyms: member, partition, portion, section, segment

Related Words: component, constituent, element, factor, ingredient, moiety, parcel; cut, length; bit, fragment, particle, scrap

Near Antonyms: whole; aggregate, composite, compound, sum, total, totality

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of PART

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>.

Rhymes with PART

art, cart, chart, Chartres, dart, fart, hart, Harte, heart, kart, mart, smart, start, tart