What is "party man"

Party \Par"ty\ (p[aum]r"t[y^]), n.; pl. Parties (p[aum]r"t[i^]z). [F. parti and partie, fr. F. partir to part, divide, L. partire, partiri. See Part, v.]

1. A part or portion. [Obs.] ``The most party of the time.''
   --Chaucer.

2. A number of persons united in opinion or action, as distinguished from, or opposed to, the rest of a community or association; esp., one of the parts into which a people is divided on questions of public policy.

   Win the noble Brutus to our party.
   --Shak.

   The peace both parties want is like to last.
   --Dryden.

3. A part of a larger body of company; a detachment; especially (Mil.), a small body of troops dispatched on special service.

4. A number of persons invited to a social entertainment; a select company; as, a dinner party; also, the entertainment itself; as, to give a party.

5. One concerned or interested in an affair; one who takes part with others; a participator; as, he was a party to the plot; a party to the contract.

6. The plaintiff or the defendant in a lawsuit, whether an individual, a firm, or corporation; a litigant.

   The cause of both parties shall come before the judges.
   --Ex. xxii. 9.

7. Hence, any certain person who is regarded as being opposed or antagonistic to another.

   If the jury found that the party slain was of English race, it had been adjudged felony.
   --Sir J. Davies.

8. Cause; side; interest.

   Have you nothing said Upon this Party 'gainst the Duke of Albany?
   --Shak.

9. A person; as, he is a queer party. [Now accounted a vulgarism.] Note: ``For several generations, our ancestors largely employed party for person; but this use of the word, when it appeared to be reviving, happened to strike, more particularly, the fancy of the vulgar; and the consequence has been, that the polite have chosen to leave it in their undisputed possession.'' --Fitzed. Hall. Party jury (Law), a jury composed of different parties, as one which is half natives and half foreigners. Party man, a partisan. --Swift. Party spirit, a factious and unreasonable temper, not uncommonly shown by party men. --Whately. Party verdict, a joint verdict. --Shak. Party wall.

   1. (Arch.) A wall built upon the dividing line between two adjoining properties, usually having half its thickness on each property.

   2. (Law) A wall that separates adjoining houses, as in a block or row.

n. a member of a political party who follows strictly the party line [syn: party liner]