parti
nounUK /ˈpɑːti/ · US /pɑɹˈtiː/
Etymology From French parti.
1
The basic, central, or main concept, drawing, or scheme of an architectural design.
2
Dated Someone (especially a man) who is considered to be a good choice for marriage, because of wealth, status etc.
- ...Hastily arranging her necessities, her wishes, her fears, and her desires, she thus began to address the dear friend she alike dreaded, despised, and persevered in attaching to herself and her measures:— "Bring any one you deem a desirable parti, of course, but allow me to observe, dear Lady Penrhyn, that——" "Yes! I see, that they must be really crême a la crême....1838 (date written), L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XVII, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], published 1842, →OCLC, page 224:
- We met some time ago a man that would just do for you, if you were not already engaged to Jonathan. He is an excellent parti, being handsome, well off, and of good birth.1897, Bram Stoker, Dracula, Westminster [London]: Archibald Constable and Company, […], →OCLC:
1 more example
- “My temper is sweet, and my character without blemish. In fine, Miss Dobson, I am a most desirable parti.”1911, Max Beerbohm, Zuleika Dobson:
- Related terms
- mi-parti, particoloured, parti pris