partner

Etymology

From Middle English partener, partiner, alteration (due to Middle English part) of Middle English parcener, from Old French parçonier, parçonneour (“joint heir”) from parçon (“partition”), from Latin partītiōnem, singular accusative of partītiō (“portion”). The word may also represent Old French part tenour (“part holder”). Compare also Middle English partifere (“partner”), partifelewe (“partner”). Doublet of parcener.

noun

1. Either of a pair of people or things that belong together.
2. Someone who is associated with another in a common activity or interest.
   1. A member of a business or law partnership.
      He Suſpends on theſe Reaſons, that Thomas Rue had granted a general Diſcharge to Adam Muſhet, who was his Conjunct, and correus debendi, after the alleadged Service, which Diſcharged Muſhet, and conſequently Houstoun his Partner. 1668 July 3, James Dalrymple, “Thomas Rue contra Andrew Houſtoun” in The Deciſions of the Lords of Council & Seſſion I (Edinburgh, 1683), page 548
   2. A spouse or other person with whom one shares a domestic, romantic or sexual bond.
   3. Someone with whom one dances in a two-person dance.
   4. Someone with whom one plays on the same side in a game, such as card games or doubles tennis.
3. (nautical) One of the pieces of wood comprising the framework which strengthens the deck of a wooden ship around the holes through which the mast and other fittings pass.
4. (Jamaica) A group financial arrangement in which each member contributes a set amount of money over a set period.

verb

1. (transitive) To join as a partner.
2. (intransitive, often with with) To work or perform as a partner.
   “In the current period, when people are embedded in social and informational bubbles with like-minded friends and relatives,” he says, “the idea of partnering with someone from a different bubble is understandably daunting. At a minimum it’s awkward and complicated.” Oct 6 2020, Belinda Luscombe, “Would You Date Someone With Different Political Beliefs? Here's What a Survey of 5,000 Single People Revealed”, in Time
   Tesco has partnered with Direct Rail Services (DRS) to launch a new refrigerated rail freight service from Tilbury to Coatbridge. January 12 2022, “Network News: New freight trips for Tesco and DRS”, in RAIL, number 948, page 12