n.
      - a piece or segment of something which combined with others makes up the whole. ▸a component of a machine: ![]()  aircraft parts. 
▸a division of a book, periodical, or broadcast serial. ▸a measure allowing comparison between the amounts of different ingredients used in a mixture: ![]()  one part cement to five parts ballast. 
- some but not all of something. ▸
( parts)
  informal a region, especially one not clearly specified or delimited: ![]()  jetting off to foreign parts. 
- a role played by an actor or actress. ▸Music  a melody or other constituent of harmony assigned to a particular voice or instrument. 
- the contribution made by someone to an action or situation.
- 
(parts)
 archaic abilities.
- N. Amer. a parting in the hair.
v.
    - move apart or divide to leave a central space.
- 
(also be parted)
 leave someone's company.
- 
(part with)
 give up possession of; hand over.
- separate (the hair on either side of a parting) with a comb.
adv.
 partly (often used to contrast different parts of something):
![]() 
 part jazz, part blues.
Phrase
  
    - be part and parcel of
 be an essential element of. 
[parcel here is in the archaic sense ‘part, portion’.]
- for my 
(or his, her, etc.)
 part
 as far as I am (or he, she, etc. is) concerned.
- in part
 to some extent though not entirely.
- look the part
 have an appearance or style of dress appropriate to a particular role or situation.
- a man of 
(many)
 parts
 a man showing great ability in many different areas.
- on the part of 
(or on my, their, etc. part)
 used to ascribe responsibility for something to someone.
- part company
 cease to be together; go in different directions.
- take part
 join in or be involved in an activity.
- take the part of
 give support and encouragement to (someone) in a dispute.
 
  Derivative
  
  Etymology
  OE (denoting a part of speech), from L. pars, part-; the verb is from OFr. partir, from L. partire, partiri ‘divide, share’.