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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Parti(e, -y, Pairtie, a. [ME. and e.m.E. party (Chaucer), -i(e, parti-coloured, also late north. ME. (a 1450) = different, F. parti, p.p. of partir, L. partīre to part, divide: cf. Partie n.]

1. a. Of thoughts: Of different kinds; mixed. b. Of a tool: ? Having more than one use; ? composite. ?1438 Alex. ii. 2570.
With party thochtis ioyfull and wraith Thay had plente forout sparing 1562-3 Winȝet II. 6/10.
A litle, partie, handsum instrument that may suffice ws … bayth for a waippin and a werklume [etc.]

2. Parti-coloured, variegated.Spec., in heraldry, Divided vertically into two equal tinctures.(1) c1450-2 Howlat 184 (A).
Parfytlye thir pikmawis as for priouris With thar party habitis present tham thare c1475 Wall. vii. 133.
The party wand [supra a wand of colour reid and greyne] 1489 Treas. Acc. I. 149.
To be ij party hoyse to the king a1500 Prestis of Peblis 469.
With club and bel and partie cote with eiris He feinȝeit him ane fule 1508 Treas. Acc. IV. 64.
For iij pair party hos to thaim, blak and ȝallow c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxii. 16 (M).
The pyat withe the pairtie cote 1513 Doug. viii. iv. 201.
The party popill grayn Heldit his hed with skug herculyane(2) 1494 Loutfut MS. 40 b.
Party is as a gown half parteyt of ii colouris

3. Gold party, party gold, appar. gold leaf of some sort. Cf. party-gilt, s.v. Partie adv. b. 1496 Treas. Acc. I. 293.
For ij^c of gold party to the Duke of Ȝorkis banar 1507 Ib. III. 404.
To Pieris payntour for … iiij quaris parti gold