Com"pa*ny (kŭm"p&adot;*n&ybreve;),
n.; pl. Companies (-
n&ibreve;z). [F. compagnie, fr. OF. compaing. See
Companion.] 1. The state of being a
companion or companions; the act of accompanying; fellowship;
companionship; society; friendly intercourse.
Shak.
Evil company doth corrupt good manners.
1 Cor. xv. 33. (Rev. Ver.).
Brethren, farewell: your company along
I will not wish.
Milton.
2. A companion or companions.
To thee and thy company I bid
A hearty welcome.
Shak.
3. An assemblage or association of
persons, either permanent or transient.
Thou shalt meet a company of prophets.
1 Sam. x. 5.
4. Guests or visitors, in distinction
from the members of a family; as, to invite company to
dine.
5. Society, in general; people assembled
for social intercourse.
Nature has left every man a capacity of being
agreeable, though not of shining in company.
Swift.
6. An association of persons for the
purpose of carrying on some enterprise or business; a
corporation; a firm; as, the East India Company; an
insurance company; a joint-stock company.
7. Partners in a firm whose names are not
mentioned in its style or title; -- often abbreviated in writing;
as, Hottinguer & Co.
8. (Mil.) A subdivision of a
regiment of troops under the command of a captain, numbering in
the United States (full strength) 100 men.
9. (Naut.) The crew of a ship,
including the officers; as, a whole ship's
company.
10. The body of actors employed in a
theater or in the production of a play.
To keep company with. See under
Keep, v. t.
Syn. -- Assemblage; assembly; society; group; circle;
crowd; troop; crew; gang; corporation; association; fraternity;
guild; partnership; copartnery; union; club; party;
gathering.
Com"pa*ny (?), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Companied (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Companying.] To accompany or go with; to
be companion to. [Obs.]
Com"pa*ny, v. i. 1.
To associate.
Men which have companied with us all the
time.
Acts i. 21.
2. To be a gay companion. [Obs.]
Spenser.
3. To have sexual commerce. [Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
