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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII). Includes material from the 2005 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PAIRTY, n., v., adj. Also perty; pertie (Sc. 1745 S.C. Misc. (1841) 415); pairtie (Sc. 1701 Laing MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) II. 4). [′perte]. Sc. forms and usages of Eng. party.

I. n. Sc. form of Eng. party. wm.Sc. 1985 Liz Lochhead Tartuffe 6:
Pairties and cerd-schools he canny abide
Because sich abominations are Auld Nick's pride.
And socials and swarrys and coversat-zionis
Will bring the wrath o' God doon oan us.m.Sc. 1990 Douglas Lipton in Hamish Whyte and Janice Galloway New Writing Scotland 8: The Day I Met the Queen Mother 59:
Ye'll be comin' tae ma perty, tho'? Aye, it's fancy-dress aw right.Arg. 1993:
A'm gan tae a perty in Glesca.Edb. 1993 Irvine Welsh Trainspotting (1994) 43:
Perty at Matty's eftir the game. His new place in Lorne Street. Be thair sharp, Frank Begbie shouted over at them.

II. v. 1. tr. and intr. To take sides with, to make common cause with.Sc. 1734 R. Keith Hist. Church Scot. I. 121:
The Earl of Huntly . . . had, it seems, an unfix'd Resolution what Side to party with.Sc. a.1800 Jock the Leg in Child Ballads No. 282. xix.:
Sae many, a party o common thiefs, But nane to party me!

2. To billet a party of soldiers on. Nonce.Sc. 1746 S.C. Misc. (1841) I. 433:
The tenant of Carntradlin tells me just now, he is partyd on for levy money.

III. adj. Held in common, belonging to or shared in by more than one person. Cf. Eng. party-wall and Mean, adj.Sc. 1736 Ramsay Proverbs (1776) 14:
A party pot never play'd even.