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.
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 (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.
Hear it pronounced