| 释义 |
companyn. Origin: Probably a borrowing from French. Etymon: French compagnie. Etymology: Probably partly (i) < Anglo-Norman compaynie, compeignie, compenie, compani, coumpani, cumpaignie, cumpanie, cumpeinie, Anglo-Norman and Old French compainie, Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French compagnie, compaignie, Anglo-Norman and Middle French compaignye (French compagnie ) fact or state of being with another or others (c1050), group of people or animals (c1100 with reference to people, second half of the 15th cent. with reference to animals), body of soldiers, group of warriors (c1100; 1585 in the specific sense ‘subdivision of a battalion or regiment, commanded by a captain’), group or collection of objects (c1141), friendship (c1185), sexual intercourse (c1235 or earlier, frequently in compagnie charnelle ), social gathering of people (c1240 or earlier), organizational body for various trades or professions, guild (a1370 or earlier; 1283 denoting a group of debtors), and partly (ii) < Anglo-Norman companne, cumpaigne, cumpaine, cumpayne, Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French compaigne, Middle French compagne, compaingne fact or state of being with another or others, companionship (c1050 in Old French), group of people (first quarter of the 12th cent.), body of soldiers (14th cent.), in Anglo-Norman also mercantile society (a1334 or earlier), both ultimately < post-classical Latin conpanium , companium body of warriors (see companion n.1).Both French form types are probably derive from post-classical Latin conpanium , companium via post-classical Latin compagnia alliance (from 11th cent. in Italian sources), alteration of companium (perhaps by reinterpretation of the plural as a feminine singular; compare -ia -y suffix3), although Anglo-Norman and Old French compagnie , compainie , etc. may alternatively be < Anglo-Norman cumpaing , cumpains , Old French compain companion n.1 + -ie -y suffix3 Compare Old Occitan companhia , Catalan companyia (14th cent.), Spanish compañía (13th cent.), Portuguese companhia (15th cent.; 13th cent. as †compannia ), Italian compagnia (13th cent.), and also Old Occitan companha , Catalan †companya (14th cent.), Spanish (now regional: Argentina) compaña (a1207), Portuguese companha (13th cent.), Italian †compagna (12th cent.). Compare also Middle Dutch companīe (Dutch companie ), Middle Low German kumpānīe , kumpenīe , Middle High German kompānīe , kumpānīe (German Kompanie , †Compagnie (reborrowed in the 16th cent. < various Romance languages), and Kumpanei , the latter now only in senses ‘merry gathering of people’ and ‘fact of being an accomplice’), Old Swedish kompani (Swedish kompani ), Old Danish kompannie , kompæny (Danish kompagni ). It has sometimes been suggested, but without supporting evidence, that sense 5e results from association with Spanish Cia. (late 19th cent. or earlier), graphic abbreviation of compañía ‘company’. the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > an assemblage or collection > [noun] > of people or animals a1275 (?c1200) (Trin. Cambr.) (1955) 134 Þuru wis lore & genteleri he amendit huge companie. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) 7634 Gret compainie of heyemen..were þo in scotlonde. a1400 (c1300) Northern Homily: Widow's Candle (Coll. Phys.) in at Compaignie Scho..saw com gret compaynye Of fair maidenes wit a leuedye. a1450 (Bodl. Add.) (1967) 1818 Me may þer isyn, And gret compani of angels..In þe ioy so mony and so ryche. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour (St. John's Cambr.) ix. 545 Schir amery..Raid till yngland, and purchast ther Of armyt men gret cumpany, To venge hym of the velany. 2. society > society and the community > social relations > [adverb] > as opposed to alone society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > [noun] c1275 Kentish Serm. in J. Hall (1920) I. 218 Lepre is man deseurd of þo compainie of gode and of alle his angles. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vi. l. 2117 To take His compaignie. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 18 A chambre hadde he in that hostelrie Allone, with outen any compaignye. a1425 (a1400) (Galba & Harl.) (1863) 6844 Devels..sal be sene, Omang þe synful þat sal be in helle, In whas company þai sal ay duelle. a1500 (?a1450) (BL Add. 9066) (1879) 181 My sone... Be wele ware of womans companye. 1590 R. Harvey 23 Stay good neighbors, now I am for your company. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. iii. 46 Most glad of your Company . View more context for this quotation 1631 E. Reynolds ii. 221 Entertaine no Treatie, have no commerce with it [sc. lust], be not in its company alone. 1658 W. Gurnall 306 That we may be rid of both your companies at once. 1725 A. Ramsay iii. iii I lo'ed your company; And ever had a warmness in my breast, That made ye dearer to me than the rest. 1782 J. Byng Diary 23 Aug. in (1934) I. 71 On the road I make no doubt but that I shall, for lack of company, be very prolix in my narration. 1810 Duke of Wellington (1838) VI. 591 We..shall be highly flattered by your company. 1872 E. Peacock II. i. 2 His desire for his sister's company. 1925 F. S. Fitzgerald ii. 28 I think he'd tanked up a good deal at luncheon, and his determination to have my company bordered on violence. 1983 P. Manning 51 You can find yourself driving around in the company of a great reeking pile of waste-paper, cigarette ash and rotting fruit and vegetable matter. 2006 G. Malkani xxiii. 285 She reckoned I'd need some company after the funeral. the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > [noun] > sexual intercourse c1330 (?a1300) (Auch.) (1973) l. 916 Wiþ child icham Wiþouten companie of man. c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 1453 Noght wol I knowe the compaignye of man. 1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry (1971) lvii. 82 (heading) Thamar that hadde companye with hir husbondes fadre. 1549 H. Latimer sig. Biii He hadde no bodilye companie wyth hyr. 1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault vii. xxxiv. 862 The female..ceaseth..to admit the companie of the male. 1680 M. Godwyn i. 25 He..went home to his Wife, and had company with her... By means whereof, she at the end of nine Months, was delivered of a Son. 1749 H. Fielding VI. xvi. ii. 18 He felt the same Compunction with a Bawd when some poor innocent..falls into Fits at the first Proposal of what is called seeing Company . View more context for this quotation a1940 M. Garvey (1986) 13 Abraham had company with a Black woman.., by whom he had Ishmael. society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > a company or body of persons > [noun] the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > an assemblage or collection > [noun] > of people or animals > regarded as a whole or a body of people gathered c1300 (?c1225) (Cambr.) (1901) 879 Horn & his compaynye Gunne after hem. c1300 11000 Virgins (Laud) 57 in C. Horstmann (1887) 88 (MED) Heo was glad of þe compaygnie þat so fair to hire cam. a1400 (a1325) (Fairf. 14) l. 3992 Of folke ij. companys comis with me. c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 24 Well .xxix. in a compaignye Of sondry folk. a1450 (Faust.) (1883) l. 4882 (MED) He saw in þat plase..a fayre company of maydenus abouȝt þe shryne dauncyng. ?1526 M. Roper tr. Erasmus sig. d.iiiv Lucifere with his company was caste out. 1589 ‘M. Marprelate’ 4 A company of merrie grigs you must think them to be. 1611 Song of Sol. i. 9 A company of horses in Pharaohs chariots. View more context for this quotation 1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden 99 A companie of above thirtie the most eminent among them [sc. Lawyers]. 1717 16 Sept. 2/2 An innumerable company of White Butterflyes..that cover'd the Air as tho' it Snow'd. 1772 J. Boswell Diary 7 Apr. in (1960) 103 The only Scotsman among a company of English. 1823 25 Apr. A company of active young men playing the manly and athletic game of ‘base ball’. 1864 J. Couch III. 158 It [sc. Turbot] appears to wander..in small companies. 1952 T. Armstrong Prol. i. 5 A company of several hundred spread over half a mile of narrow road, miners, smelters, ore washers and other surface men. 2004 D. F. Wallace 297 A select company of editorial interns..is tasked to peruse this service. 4. spec.society > leisure > social event > social gathering > [noun] c1300 Childhood Jesus (Laud) 1727 in C. Horstmann (1875) 1st Ser. 57 (MED) Muche folk þare was..Bote win bi gan to failli To þat ilke compaygni. c1410 (c1350) (Harl. 7334) l. 317 (MED) I lefte..In my broþer seller fyue tonne of wyn; I wil not þat þis compaignye parten atwynne..while eny sope is þrynne. 1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus ii. f. 170v The supper was sufficient to serue all the coumpaignie. 1567 W. Painter II. xxv. f. 223 Rhomeo seeing himself pressed to part with the companie,..demaunded of one of his friends what she [sc. Julietta] was. 1653 I. Walton ii. 46 Another of the company that shall be nameless. View more context for this quotation 1665 R. Boyle v. ix. sig. Ll8 As welcome as she is unto the best Companies. 1726 J. Swift I. ii. i. 18 Drank to her Lady-ships Health..which made the Company laugh. 1774 Ld. Chesterfield I. Advt. 14 He presumed his Son might thereby be domesticated in the best foreign companies. 1801 M. Edgeworth Prussian Vase in III. 30 Talked of..in public companies at Potzdam. 1851 A. Helps I. 1 I can add little or nothing to the pleasure of any company. 1905 F. A. MacCunn viii. 89 Murray..gave a banquet at Holyrood and the company laughed when Mary sent a merry message. 1961 2 Jan. 8/3 Mr. Khrushchev,..at a New Year banquet..in the Kremlin,..raised his glass and bade the whole company drink to peaceful coexistence. 2011 K. Madison xi. 150 Robert was doing his best to regale the company with tales of his first impassioned speech in Parliament. b. Military. society > armed hostility > warriors collectively > [noun] society > armed hostility > armed forces > the Army > unit of army > [noun] c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) l. 8222 Þo wende uorþ þis compainye..to yrenebrugge. ?c1430 (c1400) J. Wyclif (1880) 58 He [sc. a prest] is an aungel of þe lord of compaynes. c1450 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker (1884) I. 562/30 Alaris, a company of hors. 1535 Judges vii. 20 All the thre companies blewe with ye trompettes, and brake the pitchers. 1591 H. Savile tr. Tacitus ii. xxxiii. 73 A valiant companie..of spearemen and horse departed away. 1636 H. Blount 6 The Venetians..keepe it with strong companyes both of horse, and foote. 1651 T. Hobbes ii. xx. 105 A very small company of souldiers, surprised by an army. 1705 L. Echard III. i. 96 The Emperor..resolv'd that a Company of Soldiers should fall on the Orthodox at Divine Service. 1781 E. Gibbon II. xvii. 57 From the seven schools two companies of horse and foot were selected, of the protectors, whose advantageous station was the hope and reward of the most deserving soldiers. 1869 C. Boutell tr. J. P. Lacombe vii. 101 At the first each body, uniform and complete in itself, formed a company. 1953 14 May i. 8/4 Paratroopers have wiped out a company of Viet-Minh Communist troops. 1999 17 June 1/4 The company of insurgents had just paraded through the village of Zegra. society > armed hostility > armed forces > the Army > unit of army > [noun] > regiment > infantry regiment > division of 1590 J. Smythe 7 Such great bands..are..readie..to bee employed in whole companies under their Captaines. 1598 R. Barret ii. 15 The Campe-maister deuides his regiment into companies. 1642 22 Dec. 7 That the Dragooners be put into Companies, And that one hundred and twelve be allotted to a Company. 1644 J. Milton 3 To the convenience of a foot company, or interchangeably two troops of cavalry. 1706 Duke of Marlborough Let. 21 June in H. L. Snyder (1975) I. 580 Mr. Stanhope..might have the vacant company in the Guards. 1708 J. Kersey Company,..In the Art of War, a small Body of Foot Commanded by a Captain. Independent Company.., a Company of Foot-Soldiers,..that is not imbody'd in a Regiment. 1758 S. M. Hamilton (1899) II. 321 The 2d. Company of Artificers of the 2d. Regiment. 1844 135 Captains are to pay their own Troops and Companies. 1890 R. Kipling 19 So E Company..doubled for the dear life. 1906 214 In time of war or in great public danger the governor may recruit the companies, battery and troop to the maximum allowed. 1919 8 Feb. 11/4 It sometimes happens..that he gets a company in his British Regiment in the meantime. 1965 24 Aug. 21/1 He sloshed ashore in Vietnam with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment. 1999 17 June 1/5 The Commander of Company K, Capt. David W. Elland, said he first asked them to turn over their weapons voluntarily. 2004 26 Apr. 28/2 The company's executive officer..arrived minutes later with a platoon of Afghan National Army soldiers. society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > actor > [noun] > company of actors society > leisure > the arts > music > musician > instrumentalist > company of instrumentalists > [noun] > band c1503 J. Younge Fyancells of Margaret in (1770) IV. 267 Among the sayd Lords and the Qwene, was in Order Johannes and his Compayne, the Menstrells of Musick. 1572 Chamberlain's Accts. in J. Webb (1996) 104 Paid to William Martyne and his companye for a playe at the Mote Hall. 1649 No. 32. 245 A Company of young Sparks had consulted to act a Tragedy of the Tryall of the late King of England. 1712 J. Dennis iii. 32 There were seven or eight Companies of Players in the Town. 1716 Lady M. W. Montagu 25 Nov. (1965) I. 287 The King's company of French Comedians play here every night. 1855 J. Timbs 166 In 1583, the Children of the Chapel Royal..were formed into a company of players. 1872 J. Morley iii. 104 The rigour of the rule did not forbid theatrical performances, when any company, even a company of marionnettes, came into the neighbourhood. 1902 W. B. Yeats c21 Apr. (1994) III. 178 I can only repeat that I was delighted with the acting of Mr. Fay's company. 1982 E. Braun i. 16 The small scale of his actor-managed touring company. 2006 3 July 82/1 Every few years.., the company commissions a handful of new ballets. society > travel > travel by water > one who travels by water or sea > sailor > [noun] > crew 1591 W. Raleigh sig. B4 Syr Richard..commanded the maister Gunner..to split and sinke the shippe. And perswaded the companie, or as manie as he could induce, to yeelde them selues vnto God. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. ii. 173 The King, and all our company else being dround. View more context for this quotation 1694 i. 43 I doubted not the success of my Voyage, though the Company thought 'twould be dangerous. 1724 ‘C. Johnson’ iii. 89 Rum all out... So I look'd sharp for a Prize;—such a Day took one, with a great deal of Liquor on Board, so kept the Company hot, damned hot, then all Things went well again. 1788 W. Gordon IV. xi. 342 The Centaur was likewise lost, and all her company, except twelve, with the captain. 1836 3 Nov. 281/2 The company of the cutter immediately laded her armament, sails, and rigging. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher 205 Company, the whole crew of any ship, including her officers, men, and boys. 1916 1 217 The company were saved by the skill and energy of the veteran Somers, who for three days and nights never once left the quarter-deck. 1996 P. O'Brian x. 236 I am foolishly hipped..these last days, seeing the ship and her company falling to pieces, herself for the knacker's yard. society > society and the community > social relations > an association, society, or organization > specific societies or organizations > [noun] > specific youth organizations > divisions of scouts or guides 1909 Nov. 12/2 Ranks—Captain (commanding company), Lieutenant. Group Leader and Sub-Leader. Six Guides per group. Company consists of three or more groups. 1914 Feb. 3/1 We have done the work that scores of other Companies have done... We remain at four Patrols of eight girls each. 1969 (ed. 33) 42 The Guide Guider and the Assistant Guide Guider are the adult leaders of the Company. 1983 36 Some of the things you do will be done with your Guider and all the Guides in your Company. 2009 W. Shawcross x. 335 A Girl Guide company was formed at Buckingham Palace. 5. society > society and the community > social relations > an association, society, or organization > types of association, society, or organization > [noun] > guild of medieval origin society > society and the community > social relations > an association, society, or organization > types of association, society, or organization > [noun] > livery company society > society and the community > social relations > association for a common purpose > [noun] > group associated for common purpose 1389 in J. T. Smith & L. T. Smith (1870) 35 The dettes þat he owen to Alderman and þe compayne. 1461–2 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Nov. 1461 §41. m. 18 Any fraternite, gylde, company or felisship, or other body corporate. 1497–8 Old City Acct. Bk. in (1886) 43 169 A writyng sealid by the hoole Compeigny. 1535 in S. Tymms (1850) 125 I gyff and bequethe to the company of Ihc colege in Bury. 1565 J. Stow f. 242v The ryght worshypfull companye of the marchant taylours of the citie of London. a1600 R. Hooker (1648) vi. 80 The bequeathing of..ample possessions to Religious Companies. 1633 A. Munday et al. (new ed.) 649 This Company of Silke-throwers..having gained their Trade..from the Strangers, since Anno quinto of Queen Elisabeth. ?1710 4 I was sent, Sir, by the Company of Undertakers,..and they were employ'd by the honest Gentleman, who is Executor. 1790 T. Pennant 316 Opposite to Queen-hithe..is Little Trinity Lane, where the company of Painter-stainers have their hall. 1839 XIV. 118/2 In the city of London there are 89 companies or guilds, eight of which are practically extinct..Most of the companies possess what is called a livery. 1868 3rd Ser. 190 1648 I never heard of much good that was done by all the money of the London companies. 1903 T. R. Way & P. Norman 97 The standard yard measure, with which the Company's officer, the ‘aulner’, measured the cloth sold at..St. Bartholomew's Fair. 1969 19 June 11/1 Women are admitted as Freewomen..to some companies. 2011 22 July 25/3 There seems little point in the Queen and the Worshipful Company of Vintners sorting out whose swan is which. society > occupation and work > business affairs > a business or company > [noun] society > occupation and work > business affairs > a business or company > [noun] > other types of company 1532 in (1965) V. 448 To John de Garnathoo of the Company of the Easterlings, for 100 wainscots, 66s. 8d. 1599 Minute-bk. E. India Co. in H. Stevens (1886) 10 That ther Ll. would..geave the Companie a warraunt to proceade in the viage. 1645 J. Howell i. vi. 13 By reason of the generality of Commerce, the Banks, Adventures, the Common-shares and stocks which most have in the Indian and other Companies, the Wealth doth diffuse it self here in a strange kind of equality. 1690 J. Child iii. 80 Companies of Merchants are of two sorts, viz. Companies in joynt Stock, such as the East-India-Company, the Morea-Company..and the Greenland-Company;..the other sort are Companies who trade not by a joynt Stock, but only are under a Government and Regulation, such are the Hamborough-Company, the Turkey-Company, the Eastland-Company, the Muscovia-Company. 1776 A. Smith I. i. viii. 89 The mercantile company which..domineers in the East Indies. View more context for this quotation 1800 P. Colquhoun viii. 257 The Governors..of the different Chartered Companies. 1855 T. B. Macaulay III. xvi. 679 The Mall [in Cork]..is lined by the stately houses of banking companies, railway companies, and insurance companies. 1889 Dec. The South Metropolitan Gas Company and the Stokers' Strike. 1926 9 Sept. 8/4 The Western Union Telegraph Company announce..the laying of the new permalloy cable between England and New York. 1982 6 Dec. 2 A software company that depends entirely on voluntary contributions for revenue. 2011 11 June b10/4 The company floated just 9.4% of its outstanding stock to the public. society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > non-manual worker > businessman > [noun] > partner > not named in title 1569 J. Hawkins in E. Arber (1882) (modernized text) V. 231 The said Sir William Garrard and Company, did also then provide, prepare, and lade in those ships much wares. 1677 sig. G6v Mr. Sherbrook, Company, with Mr. Clark in Cheapside. 1691 T. Hale 6 By their Arts..were Sir Philip Howard, and Company in a restless manner urged to give Answers. 1726 G. Berkeley Let. to T. Prior 24 Aug. in (1871) IV. 133 Transmit the third part of the overplus sum to Swift and Company. 1768 Ld. Kennet 2 A printfield factory, established at Woodside, under the firm and designation of William Roberton and Company. 1877 (title) A Catalogue of Standard Works published by Charles Griffin & Company. 1898 G. B. Shaw in 19 Feb. 251/2 This..is the distinction between Marlowe and Company and the firm of Beaumont and Fletcher. 1963 7 Feb. 261/3 The high-placed moderates on the Parliamentary side (Essex, Manchester, and company). 1998 6 Feb. c2/2 Sales at the midpriced department store chain Sears, Roebuck & Company rose 5.4 percent. 2007 Mar. 41/1 If I thought Dawkins and company were right, I would defend them one hundred percent. society > occupation and work > business affairs > a business or company > [noun] > companies involved in specific business > trading in specific place 1599 in H. Stevens (1886) 10 That ther Ll. would..geave the Companie a warraunt to proceade in the viage. 1689 J. Child 11 The Abstracter of the foregoing Treatise, is no East-India Merchant, nor any way concerned with the Company. 1766 J. Z. Holwell (ed. 2) I. iii. 217 The lands of the twenty-four Purgunnahs, ceded to the Company by the treaty of 1757. 1785 E. Burke Speech Nabob Arcot's Debts in (1792) II. 502 The debt of the company from the rajah of Tanjore, is just of the same stuff with that of the nabob of Arcot. 1848 H. H. Wilson III. ix. 477 The right of exclusive trade with India, had been withdrawn from the Company. 1910 23 Apr. 660/1 He used to insist that throughout India Sunday should be observed by all the officials of the Company. 2007 R. Llewellyn-Jones 1 The Bengal sepoy army was indeed a product of the Company. society > law > law enforcement > police force or the police > political police > [noun] > secret service or police > specific American 1953 Memorandum (Central Intelligence Agency) 3 Sept. in (2003) 95 Considering that the operation now will be Government (U.S.) sponsored rather than supported by ‘the Company’ as heretofore, KS would assist in devising means of evaluating..the P/A's capabilities particularly inside the target country. 1966 May 82/2 One of the first things they pound into you during training is always to call the Agency the ‘company’... You might call it the firm or the office. But never the C.I.A. or the Agency, even among yourselves. 1975 P. Agee (title) Inside the company. 1978 G. Vidal iii. 47 Actually, I am a special agent of the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States Government. Sometimes known as The Company. 1982 16 Dec. 3/3 The Americans working (presumably) for ‘the Company’, as the CIA is universally known, are privately scathing about the failure of positive vetters. 2011 M. Russinovich 77 It was one of a number of terrorist groups on the radar screen of the Company. 6. As a collective noun. society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > a company or body of persons > [noun] > casual or temporary c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 474 Absolon..was at Osneye With compaignye hym to disporte and pleye. a1450 (1885) 156 (MED) Hamward I rede we hye..Be-cause of company Þat will wende in oure waye. 1542 A. Borde xxxii. sig. M.iiv Where there is great resorte of company..in churche in sessyons and market places. 1596 E. Topsell vii. 150 If seruantes in our dayes had many times more companye, there woulde bee lesse dishonestye among them. 1642 Ld. G. Digby 7 Many Souldiers, and Commanders..provided their owne accommodations at Kingston,..still so used for the over-plus of company. 1722 I. 76 Its [sc. Hampstead's] nearness to London brings so many loose Women..that modest Company are asham'd to appear here. society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > a companion or associate > [noun] a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer (Hunterian) (1891) l. 4953 Youthe..made hem..suen yuell companye Riot and avoutrie. a1500 Consail & Teiching Vys Man (Cambr. Kk.1.5) in R. Girvan (1939) 73 Gud moþir child gud... Sa scho be kepyt fra Ill Custume, Fra Ill rapar and ill cumpany. 1586 A. Day xi. 226 Shunne vice as you would do a serpent, flie wicked company as a pestilent infection. 1600 W. Shakespeare ii. ii. 42 Keeping such vile company as thou arte, hath in reason taken from me all ostentation of sorrowe. View more context for this quotation 1633 G. Herbert Church Porch in xxiii Houses are built by rule, and common-wealths..Who lives by rule then, keeps good companie. 1711 R. Steele No. 156. ⁋6 From reading frivolous Books, and keeping as frivolous Company. 1770 E. Burke 76 Unfortunate in the choice of his political company. 1778 Earl of Malmesbury Let. 31 Dec. in (1844) I. 224 He is addicted to low buffoonery and low company, but his character is unimpeached. 1846 D. Corcoran 10 I never keeps low company, and you is so cussedly vulgar. 1896 S. R. Crockett vi. 39 None of us..desired to mix or to mell with loose company. 1972 27 July 210/3 The author marvels at the sort of company Duckworth drank with. 1995 C. Bateman viii. 138 Jesus kept some pretty dodgy company in his time. society > society and the community > social relations > [noun] 1576 A. Fleming tr. G. Macropedius in 372 Ignoraunce is suche an impediment in man..it maketh him unfit for good companie. 1685 J. Dryden Pref. sig. A4 Conversation with the best company of both Sexes. 1746 R. Whatley p. vii (note) A confused meeting of Company of both Sexes on Sundays is called a Hurricane. 1792 M. Wollstonecraft xiii. 428 They..passed their time..till they were brought into company as marriageable. 1806 J. Beresford I. vi. 139 The practice of ‘going into company’, as the phrase is. 1857 E. E. Stuart Let. 13 Jan. in R. Stuart et al. (1961) II. 778 Emm. has been to several parties over there, one at Glentrutter and one somewhere else, and is coming out, had company once or twice, etc. 1910 P. H. Hendricken i. 1 The barn dance has been the talk of the village, on account of the many very pleasant reunions of old friends that took place, and the coming out into company of the younger set. d. society > leisure > social event > hospitality > guest > [noun] > company of 1578 J. Lyly f. 7v My company stay my comming. 1649 Bp. J. Taylor ii. 2 They had more company than wine. 1732 G. Berkeley II. vii. xxxiv. 209 Company came in, which put an end to our Conversation. 1775 S. Johnson 10 June (1992) II. 221 Hector had company in his house. 1800 J. Foster Let. 11 June in (1846) I. 136 Company is assembled for the assassination of time. 1883 ‘G. Lloyd’ II. xxvi. 97 I see some more company arriving. 1904 T. Watson 9 These new rooms were filled with costly furniture, and were dedicated to the use of ‘company’. 1960 H. Lee (1993) iii. 39 ‘That boy's yo' comp'ny and if he wants to eat up the table cloth you let him, you hear?’ ‘He ain't company, Cal, he's just a Cunningham.’ 1997 M. Groening et al. 214/3 Geez, come on, Dad, we got company. Make with the yakkety-yak-yak. 1937 3 Oct. (Mag.) 8/1 We got company that's a heap interested... Some feller is settin' up yonder with a pair o' binoculars, watching the house. 1980 W. Manchester 70 I..saw that I had company, a creature somehow familiar, who flickered in and out of sight, an adumbration on the fringes of my awareness. 1989 (Nexis) 30 Jan. (N. Pinellas Times section) 1 A dark green pickup truck turned into the alley and roared toward the small car. ‘Uh, oh. We've got company,’ Bruscell said. 2011 J. Shaara i. 93 ‘It's a plane! He's coming in!’.. ‘Lieutenant! We got company!’ 1592 ii. i. 35 Were it not that I see more company comming down the hill, I would be fellowes with you once more, and share Crownes with you to. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. vi. 27 But soft, Company is comming here. View more context for this quotation 1693 N. Luttrell Diary in (1857) III. 18 Company coming in, they made off, and left the dead man behind on Blackheath. 1722 4 July 7/1 He heard some Company coming forward and Challeng'd them, they answer'd they were Friends. 1839 G. M. Bussey iii. 197 Seeing some company approaching, he perches on the branch of a tree..and begins croaking his direful forebodings. society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > a company or body of persons > [noun] > having specific quality 1604 King James VI & I sig. Dv He that will refuse to take a pipe of Tobacco among his fellowes,..is accounted peeuish and no good company. 1653 I. Walton ii. 46 At Trout-Hal..there is usually an Angler that proves good company . View more context for this quotation 1670 J. Eachard 36 Now, such stuff [sc. Greek and Latin] being out of fashion, is esteemed but very bad company. 1712 R. Steele No. 462. ⁋1 He is very pleasant Company. 1740 S. Richardson I. 201 Ay, said the Idiot, she is main good Company, Madam; no wonder you miss her. 1845 R. Ford I. i. 47 No company is better than bad company. 1870 R. W. Emerson 3 Dante was very bad company, and was never invited to dinner. 1902 15 Apr. 3/6 The American, too, is..jolly good company, and no end of fun. 1987 M. Palin Diary 14 June in (2009) 497 She is jet-lagged and flu-ey, but still great company. 2010 J. Orringer xxii. 248 I'm afraid I won't be very good company tonight... I've got a rather bad headache. 7. the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > an assemblage or collection > [noun] 1439 in (1827) 21 36 xxv saphurs, iij emeraudes..and a grete company of..perles. 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach i. f. 27 It putteth out a great company of small rootes. 1605 T. Hutton 41 An infinite company of the like instances might be giuen. 1621 R. Burton ii. iii. vii. 426 Cotys..that brake a company of fine glasses presented to him. a1676 M. Hale (1677) ii. vii. 203 The infinite company of Islands lying between the Continent of China and Nova Guinea. 1767 W. Ward iii. i. 218 If that about which the Question is asked be amongst some Company of Objects. 1877 A. B. Edwards iv. 71 High on this barren plateau..there stands a solemn company of pyramids. 1915 Aug. 63 The presence of so numerous and various a company of rocks and boulders as to render cultivation impossible. 1982 R. Ford (1987) 18 The whole company of buildings looking like some unbelievable castle, humming away in a distorted dream. society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > trading vessel > [noun] > number of sailing together 1530 J. Palsgrave 207/2 Company or meyny of shippes, flotte. 1597 A. Hartwell tr. D. Lopes ii. vi. 171 The company of shippes which is called La Flotta, that is to say, the Fleete, and vseth euery yeare to sayle from the coast for Castile. 1654 T. Blount 14 Drake scoured the Coasts with a sufficient company of ships, made pillage of others, and thereof furnished himself for his interprize. 1728 E. Chambers Company of Ships, is a sort of Fleet of several Merchant-Vessels, who make a kind of Charter-Party among themselves; whereby..they engage not to quit one another, but to defend each other reciprocally, during their Voyage. These Associations, in the Mediterranean, are call'd Conserves. 1864 Duke of Manchester II. iii. 60 He mistook a company of merchantmen for the French fleet coming down upon him. 1989 R. K. Headland 94 (table) 1804... HMS Athenian. Determined position of Ile Saint-Paul while escorting a company of vessels on a voyage to China. Phrases P1. With preceding preposition. a. for company. society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > a company or body of persons > [adverb] > for company's sake c1300 St. John Evangelist (Laud) l. 381 in C. Horstmann (1887) 413 (MED) He gan haunti wakes, and for compaygnie he wax a syutor of tauernes. c1485 ( G. Hay (2005) 233 Quhat wit war jt..yat he suld brek his lautee to manesuere him for company. ?1566 W. P. tr. C. S. Curio f. 43v I saw euery man run & I runne for company. 1656 R. Sanderson 223 Your meer Ignaro's, what they erre, they erre for company; they judge not at all. 1703 S. Centlivre ii. i. 25 Some Men love their Friends so well, that if they were to be hang'd themselves, rather than part from them, they'd wish them hang'd for Company. 1814 F. Burney II. iii. xxv. 116 She had been forced to make the young music-mistress come along with her, for company. 1864 Ld. Tennyson Enoch Arden in 3 The little wife would weep for company. 1914 E. Breck & C. H. Genung tr. E. von Wolzogen ix. 184 Ilonka knew where the cigarettes were for the ladies and she smoked, too, for company. 2005 N. Hornby 126 We'd decided we were going to go over together. For company, sort of thing. 1620 N. Brent tr. P. Sarpi i. 52 The Pope gaue him for company the Cardinall Campeggio, as Legate, who should follow him to the Diet. 1628 J. Earle xxxiii. sig. F11v He has his sentences for Company, some scatterings of Seneca and Tacitus. 1796 Mar. 358/1 This young lady took another for company, who was younger than herself. 1824 2 116 Live and die, A lone enthusiast, near some northern lake, With your thick-coming thoughts for company. 1879 ‘Mrs. Forrester’ I. xii. 310 She would ask for her own money and go and live in a cottage by herself with only a dog for company. 1954 P. Frankau iii. ii. 156 I lay down to sleep with a violent headache for company. 2004 J. Williams 166 Working in an anarchist print shop off of the Newport Road with only a manic depressive teenage punk rockster for company. the world > relative properties > wholeness > the whole or all > that is all or the whole [phrase] > in all or altogether society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > a company or body of persons > [adverb] a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) v. l. 6496 (MED) With Covoitise yit I finde A Servant..Which Stelthe is hote, and Mecherie With him is evere in compainie. a1400 (Vesp.) 987/163* He come not in company. c1460 (?c1400) Prol. l. 661 (MED) Yet, or he cam in company, he wissh a-wey the blood. 1532 E. Boner in (1849) VII. 396 The said old Abbot of Ferfa..hath been of late at Rome with 3 score in companye, besides 20 stafyres. 1569 R. Grafton II. 372 Yet before we come there, we shall not be three hundreth in companie. a1639 H. Wotton (1676) 9 Dorique pillar..known by his place when he is in Company, and by the peculiar Ornament of his Frize..when he is alone. 1689 N. Lee ii. iii. 25 T'other night I was in company with two or three well-bred Fops, that found fault with my Obscenity, and protested. 1711 J. Addison No. 90. ¶7 I was often in Company with a couple of charming Women. 1776 G. Semple 85 I once happened in Company with a very ingenious Gentleman. 1824 R. Fitzroy Let. in (1989) 75 23 We sail to Madeira in company with the Barham. 1883 Oct. 725/2 They are distributed into separate paddocks, not more than a dozen or twenty in company. 1913 J. B. Esenwein & M. E. Roberts xi. 110 The pilgrims rode in company from London to Canterbury. 1917 A. Cahan (1993) iii. i. 55 It is pleasant even to famish in company. If I were alone it would be harder to stand it. 1985 J. Kelman (1987) 36 Tammas was walking out through the factory yard, in company with others from his section. 2003 (Nexis) 31 Mar. (City ed.) 15 Put on the kettle, sit down, relax for a few minutes and have a ponder or, if you're in company, a chat. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) ii. l. 1021 (MED) And if that I..delaie To put hire out of compaignie, The worschipe of my Regalie Is lore. c1475 in F. J. Furnivall (1862) 144 (MED) Whoso chateryt lyke a py..schalle be put owte of company. ?1593 H. Chettle sig. F2 It stands in a good place, quite out of company, where handicraft men may haue leysure to get their liuing. 1659 T. Aston 18 The Gentleman retired himself, and kept out of company several dayes. 1782 F. Burney I. ii. v. 243 Mrs. Harrel,..easily wearied when out of company,..soon grew sleepy, and retired to her own room. 1818 26 Apr. 271/2 He was introduced into the company of Lady Frances, at certain public places,..and never saw her but on one occasion out of company. 1900 Sept. 706 As she was obliged by her frailness to keep out of company, he never but once during his fifteen years of married life dined away from home. P2. With a verb. a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer (Pierpont Morgan) (1882) v. l. 66 This Troylus..dide here compaynye. c1450 (c1400) (Huntington) (1942) 51 (MED) Þe bihoueþ do companye to þyn neiȝebores and to þi frendes. a1413 (c1385) G. Chaucer (Pierpont Morgan) (1881) ii. l. 1488 Deiphebus..Come hire to preye..To holde hym..companye At dyner. 1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine f. ccccxvv/1 Anthonye, whyche wrote hys lyf and helde hym companye. a1533 Ld. Berners tr. (?1560) lxxv. sig. Tii My senesshal who shal holde you companye. 1614 B. Rich 40 A puritan, a precise Foole, not fitte to hold a gentleman company. 1820 T. Mitchell tr. Aristophanes Knights in tr. Aristophanes I. 280 Spitfire holds me company. 1914 ‘Bartimeus’ (1915) xxv. 264 An ambient trout-stream held him company most of the long afternoon. c. (a) to keep company (with). society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > a companion or associate > accompany or associate with [verb (transitive)] society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > associate with [verb (transitive)] 1502 tr. (de Worde) ii. ix. sig. l.iv The counseyll of the wyse Salomon is that as with detractours no man kepe company with wordes [Fr. que a detracteurs null y ne tienne compaignie ou paroles]. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart I. f. viv/2 The kyng sent..a great ambassade to sir John of Heynault..to kepe company with hym in his voiage agaynst the Scottis. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. ii. 66 The Gentleman is of no hauing, hee kept companie with the wilde Prince. View more context for this quotation a1651 N. Culverwell (1652) x. 82 Man being..as that sacred Oratour termes him, a congregating Creature that loves to keep company. 1751 Ld. Chesterfield 10 May (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1729 Sir Charles Hotham is gauche; it is to be hoped that will mend with keeping company. 1778 F. Burney I. xvi. 97 I never kept company with any such gentry. 1850 H. T. Cheever xiii. 205 The meeting, exchanging visits, and keeping company of..a sociable family of whales. 1873 H. B. Tristram xiii. 236 The oleanders and the water always keeping company, and preserving each other. 1932 29 Sept. 29/2 Mr Potter diffidently suggested they should keep company together a ‘small ways’. 1998 P. Jooste (1999) xii. 198 This is where he'll be tonight keeping company with the rough element. the mind > emotion > love > courtship or wooing > court or engage in courtship [verb (intransitive)] 1529 tr. M. Luther in tr. Erasmus sig. E.viii Yee in yt he bindeth & compelleth them to love a newe eche other and kepe company agayne [Ger. Ja auch da mit zwingt und dringet widder zu samen sich vereynigen]. 1592 A. Willet Pref. to Rdr. sig. Bv The heretikes Abeliani thought it not lawfull for their sort to liue without wiues, and yet they neuer vsed, nor kept companie with their wiues. ?1625 F. Godwin 279 Hee..liued all the Summer time at Somersham, keeping company much there with a certaine woman in very offensiue manner. 1725 W. Broome in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer II. vi. Observ. 117 She could not approve of a young woman keeping company with men, without the permission of father or mother. 1833 T. H. Bayly 315 My daughter is as good as your son any day, and if the young folks wish to keep company, you are the last person that ought to object. 1861 G. A. Sala 112 The young women with whom I have (to adopt the term current in domestic service) ‘kept company’. 1951 S. H. Bell iii. ix. 284 Mr Skillen doesna' want his son to keep company with Martha. 1984 May 37/3 She told a local reporter that she hasn't ‘kept company’ with a man since 1978. 1999 T. Winter House Arrest (HBO TV shooting script) 43 in 2nd Ser. (O.E.D. Archive) There was a girl. We kept company for a while. (b) to keep (a person) company. society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > a companion or associate > accompany or associate with [verb (transitive)] the world > relative properties > relationship > accompaniment > accompany or attend [verb (transitive)] 1517 S. Hawes (1928) ii. 16 These grehounde shall kepe you company. 1581 W. Goodyear tr. J. de Cartigny iii. viii. 114 Then Faith led me to hir Tower, and all the other vertues kept vs company. 1666 N. Foxcroft Let. 11 Sept. in R. Boyle (2001) III. 223 A shoale of Albicor's & Bonitoes (fish so call'd) undertooke us, & kept us Company. 1714 D. Manley 78 Miserable Cleander kept him Company, for fear he should get some of his old Gang, who were Spies gain'd by Lord Crafty. 1788 C. Smith I. ii. 26 Now my dear Miss, perhaps, may'nt be so shy and distant, as she have got another woman body to keep her company. 1849 ‘G. Eliot’ 4 Dec. (1954) I. 321 If you are anxious to publish the translation in question I could..finish the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus to keep it company. 1884 W. C. Smith 72 It is her place to keep me company. 1932 T. E. Lawrence tr. Homer xiv His plausibility won me to keep him company even so far as Phoenicia. 1984 G. Vanderhaeghe (1986) i. 3 My radio blaring away keeping me company. 2007 12 Feb. (Extra section) 6/1 Someone to warm his slippers and keep him company while he wields the remote and puts his feet up. 1705 S. Centlivre v. 57 I shall be as slender as a Hasel-Switch in a little time then, for I suppose I must keep you Company in that thin diet. 1729 T. Stackhouse v. ii. 918 The Drunkard, for instance, thinks him his Friend, who will..keep him Company in his Debauches. 1862 July 156/2 He whistled, sang lively snatches of song, joked with the horse, and when the horse nickered laughed a young horse-laugh to keep him company. 1884 A. Stewart iv. 43 He felt as if he must join in their song to keep them company. 1913 K. Tynan xxvi. 321 I never became a smoker, although I smoked to keep my friends company. 1993 M. Cohen i. 12 I had only been drinking gin fizz to keep him company while he drank more. 2009 L. Weber (2010) iv. 83 I wonder if he wore black just to keep me company. society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (intransitive)] > head in a certain course or direction > separate or part company 1578 G. Best iii. 7 If any Shyppe shall happen to lose company by force of weather. 1628 17 The same night our flyboate the Swanne lost company of vs. 1674 J. Janeway 54 Two ships bound for New-found-Land,..whom by distress of Weather, lost Company. 1709 No. 4521/1 The Anglesea and Sunderland lost Company with us. 1789 N. Portlock iii. 49 A very thick fog came on, but we were fortunate enough not to lose company. 1868 R. H. Major xii. 207 Rodrigueannes de Travaços lost company of the other caravels on their way to Cape Verde. 1938 J. H. Owen viii. 253 A third [ship] was to lose company when reconnoitring Dunkirk that evening. 1998 D. F. Marley 90/2 At this point Mosquito loses company with Watts's formation. 1621 M. Wroth ii. 211 In this manner I liu'd a while there, neuer seeing company. 1712 R. Steele No. 429. ⁋8 Lady Lydia cannot see Company. 1749 H. Fielding VI. xvi. ii. 18 He felt the same Compunction with a Bawd when some poor innocent..falls into Fits at the first Proposal of what is called seeing Company. 1761 G. Colman i. 10 Assert your Right boldly, Man!..see what Company You like; go out when You please; return when You please. 1841 T. Miller ix. 69 She was shocked to see how cousin William went on ‘when he went out to see company.’ 1848 J. K. Polk 27 Apr. (1910) III. 436 I passed the morning as usual in seeing company. 1921 E. Thorpe II. Introd. 4 He lived most abstemiously and seldom saw company. 2008 S. McCarty 290 Nidia's not up to seeing company. P3. Proverbs and proverbial phrases. ?1406 T. Hoccleve La Mâle Règle l. 133 in E. P. Hammond (1927) 62/1 Lak of coyn departith compaignie. c1450 MS Douce 52 in (1906) 54 (MED) Pouerte brekys companye. 1599 sig. G2v If I were richer, then thou shouldst go with me, But pouertie partes company. 1678 14 As the old song says, Poverty parts good company. 1727 A. Ramsay 161 When I'm poor they bid me gang by; O! Poverty parts good Company. 1834 2 Aug. ‘Poverty parts good company’, and the Minister of State, acting upon this principle, leaves the poor farmer to his fate. 1899 23 May 10/2 It is not true that ‘Poverty parts good company’. Co-operation has an adaptability for the poorest of the poor and for the richest of the rich. 1591 H. Smith 42 If a man can be known by nothing els, then he maye bee knowne by his companions. 1601 A. Dent 336 As a man is, so is his company.] 1613 Bp. W. Cowper Table. sig. Cc2/1 A man knowne by his Company. 1620 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes xxiii. 153 You shall know the person by his company. 1730 1 Aug. That we may know a Man by his Company is an Observation that will hold good to the End of the World. 1742 G. Whitefield v. 139 We may generally know a Man by his Company. 1828 28 Nov. 296/1 In this place.., a man is neither known by the company he keeps, nor the coat he wears. 1896 Nov. 488/1 If a man is known by his company, so too a librarian should be known by his assistants. 1915 Aug. 478 It..gives the public a chance to know you by the company you keep. 2010 M. Loughran ii. iv. 57 Keep in mind that you're known by the company you keep. 1727 T. Ruffe Ep. Ded. sig. A3 Remembering the other Adage, viz. that Company in Distress makes the Trouble the less. 1732 T. Fuller 282 Company in Distress Make the Sorrow less. 1808 F. Lathom II. i. 3 We ought to let company in distress make our trouble the less. 1879 J. J. Wray iii. 22 If it be a trouble that must be borne, then four can carry it easier than one... Company in distress makes the trouble less. 1920 J. Rickaby xi. 189 If there is distress there, at any rate the company is interesting, and ‘company in distress makes trouble less’. 1990 J. Goodman ii. 81 Mrs Faithfull—not having intended to speak of what she and her husband had kept to themselves for four months, but suddenly feeling that company in distress would make the sorrow less—spoke of it. 1706 J. Stevens i. at Compañía Compañía de dos compañía de Díos, the Company of two is God's Company... Compañía de tres, rovále res, a Company consisting of three is worth nothing.] 1829 July 372 Remember two is company, three none, for we cannot say all we wish before a third person. 1856 9 Feb. 2/7 ‘Two is company, three is a crowd’, is almost as true of travel as it is of conversation. 1865 Aug. 192/2 As a third person singular in Flirtation Corner, where ‘two is company’, he hath not his equal. 1880 L. Parr ix. 124 ‘Two's company and three's trumpery, my dear’. 1922 A. Barnett vi. 135 Don't let me disturb you... Two's company and three's none, eh? 1988 M. Leigh High Hopes in (1995) 231 Cyril: They're out of date, families; they ain't no use any more... Two's company—you know what I mean? 2001 25 Dec. 12/4 Don't forget: Two's company, three's a crowd, especially in the bedroom. 1640 E. Reynolds xxvi. 265 We are encouraged sometimes rather to erre in good company, then to goe right alone. 1689 S. Johnson 11 If they who hold the same Opinion be in an Error, they have erred with their Fathers, they have erred with the Church of England, and they have erred in good Company. 1746 J. Upton i. xv. 136 This be the fault of Shakespeare, 'twas no less the fault of Virgil and Horace; he errs in good company. 1817 Aug. 13/2 Though it was a disgrace to be seen drunk, yet it was none to be a little intoxicated in good company. 1838 Dec. 87 If the gentleman referred to, or we, are thus disgraced, it is in excellent company. 1888 M. Morris i. 6 In this respect at least Claverhouse sinned in good company. 1912 126 The people of the western states may be making a mistake..; but if so they are making a mistake in good company. 1952 10 Mar. 23 If you have not made out your Federal income tax return yet, relax. You are in distinguished company. Neither has President Truman. 1999 V. Seth (2000) v. 301 Julia feels that if someone like Claudio Arrau could go onto the stage without ever having played a note on the piano alloted to him, she is in good company. Compounds C1. General attributive. a. 1660 T. Willsford Debitor & Creditor in 212 What things soever a Merchant delivers..whether for Proper, Factorage, or Company-account in money or wares..is Creditor. 1766 R. Dewar 2 Appointing one of their Number to be their general Manager,..and impowering him to use the Company Firm. 1816 T. Day II. 397 B. indorsed a bill of exchange in New-York, with the company name. 1851 820 Directors receive $1 50 per day and travelling expenses while employed on company business. 1929 17 Mar. a2 The ‘front office’ is the place where the company executives hold their conferences. 1946 Dec. 516/1 The worker will continue to contrast his individual wage of $2,000 a year with the total company profit of $20,000,000 or $200,000,000 a year. 1967 T. Harknett xii. 92 An eight-wheeled trailer lorry and a five-ton van, both with the company logo on the side. 1989 23 Oct. (Technol. in Office section) 7/1 Developments in communications and computers now mean that company employees can perform a full day's work..while on the move. 1992 29 Feb. 36/1 It is..hard for a company chairman to justify splashing out £93,000..while handing out redundancy notices. 2011 Mar. 32/1 First, you will need to spend a couple of days deciding on a company name, determining whether it is already registered. (b) 1660 [see Compounds 1a(a)]. 1757 T. Lazonby (title page) Herein are also contained sixteen cases in company accounts. 1929 19 June i. 22/5 Halmos is declared to have withdrawn that sum from the company account for personal use. 1992 11 Apr. 14/1 Company accounts should include both goodwill and intangible assets on their balance sheets. society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > non-manual worker > businessman > [noun] > director > type of 1739 Jan. Index Welch-Copper, company directors chosen. 1900 26 June 1171 Rather undue importance is attached to the question of the qualification of company directors. 1963 3 Nov. 33/1 ‘Company director’ and ‘model’ are useful euphemisms for those who appear in dubious court cases. 2001 12 June c7/2 Company directors should be more independent. 1887 23 May 5/3 He had always paid his dues and the company doctor... Miners..are each month docked the regulation sum to pay for the official physician. 1960 P. D. East xvii. 104 Before I could go back to work, it was necessary for me to have a physical examination by the company doctor. 2000 C. Warren vi. 107 Company doctors..wielded increasing power over factory conditions. 1761 5 The Chargers..are not bound to delay their Payment until all the Company-funds are collected and balanced with their Debts. 1835 J. Fairfield 1 467 The company being deeply insolvent, the individuals of the firm had no property in the company funds till the company debts were paid. 2011 A. C. Fernando xii. 137/2 Companies have been permitted to spend company funds to organize and administer a political action committee. 1857 20 Feb. 6/1 The want of express authority from some of the company officials to travel without a ticket for that day leaves usage out of the question. 1963 (U.S. Dept. Labor) 35 [A chief accountant] has complete responsibility for..the basic accounting system used in the company, subject only to..a company official responsible for general financial management. 2009 (Nexis) 8 Mar. pw 4 The approval process is expected to take a year, followed by two to three years for construction of the plant, company officials said. 1908 20 Mar. 7/2 He is privileged to retire on a company pension. 1958 J. T. Drake viii. 136 Each succeeding year he draws more money from his company pension and old-age insurance and less from regular employment. 2010 Feb. 78/3 Employees enjoy fantastic benefits including a competitive salary, a company pension,..and a progressive attitude to flexible working. 1854 11 Feb. 3/2 He accused Mr. Marvin and Mr. Thurlow of..endeavouring to restore the Old Company policy, which they had both done their utmost to destroy. 1950 M. L. Mace vii. 163 The president..privately reminded the manager that the company policy was to encourage the growth and development of personnel. 2003 S. Brown 99 It's company policy not to call back, because there are just so many people to see. 1855 23 May 1/3 Of the 100,000 adult males who compose our population, there are..1000 speculators, money lenders.., editors, company presidents, &c...who..do not produce wealth by their labor. 1953 76 284/2 She made some disparaging remarks about the company's working conditions, which were reported to the company president..and resulted in her discharge. 2011 13 May 26/2 Ministers, if they acted more like CEOs or company presidents—leading, strategising, hiring, and firing—would be able to direct and shape the Church more effectively. 1875 2 Sept. 389/6 Seventy-two individuals each pay a tax of $50 and upwards, not including company taxes in any case. 1935 15 July (Gold Mining Suppl.) 6/7 There is no income-tax or other form of direct taxation, nor is there any trading or company tax. 2011 I. Abedian in D. Hale & L. H. Hale x. 129 The additional fiscal resources enabled..a lowering of personal income taxes and company taxes, particularly for small and medium enterprises. (c) With the sense ‘supplied to an employee by a company; owned or maintained by a company for the use of employees’. society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > motor car > [noun] > owned by company 1931 Mar. 17/3 He took out a driver's license in order to be free to go about in the company car. 1961 6 May 14/3 The Budget proposal to limit the capital tax allowance on company cars to £2,000. 2002 24 If we can have company cars, then what's wrong with company motorcycles? society > trade and finance > trading place > place where retail transactions made > [noun] > shop > other types of shop 1872 Nov. 841/1 A ‘company store’, which is so common elsewhere, especially with joint-stock companies. 1907 E. Wharton i. ii. 21 A row of operatives' houses..then the company ‘store’. 2000 31 July 10/1 Miners here were paid in scrip, company money with which they bought food and other supplies at the company store. 1871 82 I live in a company tenement. 1907 E. Wharton ii. xii. 187 The suppression of the company tenement..struck at the roots of the baneful paternalism. 2011 H. Smith iii. 43 The overcrowded atmosphere of company tenements. b. 1779 F. Burney Let. ?23 Feb. in (1994) III. 248 Our Laughs reaching to the Company Room, we were followed by a Mr. Davis. 1852 R. S. Surtees xxxii. 193 Mr. Puffington quite eclipsed all the old country families with their ‘company rooms’ and put-away furniture. 1866 J. W. Carlyle III. 336 Ten cups of company-china. 1870 E. J. Worboise xxxviii. 321 A handsome black silk she had lying by her... It must be my company-dress for many and many a day. 1904 E. Glasgow i. x. 114 We went over to Meadow Hall before ten in the morning, and found old Mrs. Dudley just putting on her company cap. 1998 M. Noxon (2003) 3rd Season I. 70 Why don't you run downstairs and get the company plates. 2003 42 223 The polished dining room table, and the tall glassed cabinets, company china and Passover dishes. the world > action or operation > behaviour > [noun] > in social intercourse > specific the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [noun] > good manners or polite behaviour the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [noun] > good manners or polite behaviour > demeanour the world > life > the body > external parts of body > head > face > types of face > [noun] 1798 M. Edgeworth & R. L. Edgeworth I. viii. 200 Fine clothes, and company-manners, and company-faces. 1801 M. Edgeworth Good French Governess in V. 138 Miss Fanshaw had now resumed her company-face and attitude. 1817 15 Dec. 209/1 Her face, so far from appearing discomfited, had even a sort of company smile upon it. 1848 1 May 103 There is no keeping him tidy... You must excuse him, if he is not in company-trim. 1906 23 Sept. iii. 1/2 The rest of civilized mankind..has acquired a company demeanor in deference to sodality. 1948 17 Jan. 5/3 Whenever this housewife becomes irritated with mealtime chores, the message helps put her on ‘company’ behavior. 2007 P. Tevis (ed. 4) ix. 97 You'll want to use your company manners as the valet unpacks your bags. 2011 J. A. Jance xi. 122 He seemed to have..composed himself, and put on his ‘company’ face. society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > leader or commander > officer or soldier of rank > [noun] > subordinate officer 1786 24 The Grenadier, and Light Infantry Company Officers, with their Fusils. 1799 4 At Company-Drills, Parades, and Field-Days, the senior Officer of each Company to mark the Officers, Serjeants, and Privates absent, and collect the fines incurred. 1826 J. Holbrook 254 The selection and performance of the drills and company manœuvres. 1851 38 79 At company-training and general-training..it was all ‘hay-foot, straw-foot’ with him. 1862 11 Jan. 3/5 This is the third company match in which the St. James's men have been victorious. 1919 J. P. Roth & R. L. Wheeler iv. 47 We eventually ended up in company formation on a spot of France more appealing to one's sense of beauty than those sands of Calais. 1997 J. A. Lynn (2006) v. xiv. 484 Had company integrity been respected.., company drill would have become a direct building block of battalion drill. 2010 O. Figes viii. 258 They relied..on their own company officers, and when these disappeared they had to take the lead themselves. C2. 1832 20 Aug. 4/4 It was a part of the system of the Company-makers to make a show of finery. 1856 11 Sept. 3/6 He..alluded to the commanding abilities of Mr. Baylis, who could not help being a company maker, and who only required curbing in. 1897 15 Mar. 8/3 No description of business escaped the industry of the company creator. 1977 (Nexis) Sept. 4 The company-switching managers are marked by an extraordinary achievement orientation. 1990 J. Eberts & T. Ilott xiv. 155 Puttnam..saw in him exactly the kind of level-headed strategist and company-builder that he believed Goldcrest needed. 2013 (Nexis) 23 Dec. 14 Rangers' fans must never forget that the board, like all company controllers, have to perform a balancing act, trying to satisfy shareholders as well as customers. b. 1893 3 June 667/1 The now almost legendary dulness in the sphere of bankers and company founders is only occasionally interrupted. 1954 Aug. 39 (caption) The big jet is christened by Mrs. William E. Boeing, wife of the company founder. 2010 M. J. Ignoffo x. 191 The company founder had ensured that the Winchester Repeating Arms Company was built on solid footing. 1869 10 232 An infinite variety of deceptions have been played upon well-owners, company managers, and landholders. 1913 15 May 11/4 British Isles Mineral Syndicate, Ltd—Petition presented..by S. M. Harding,..company manager. 2003 J. J. Royster 8 Although she was well prepared to be a company manager, Ohio in the 1930s was not ready for women in business leadership positions. 1848 6 May 436/2 The Ipswich paper-mills were destroyed by fire on Monday night... The company owners were insured. 1917 8 Jan. 41/1 The duty of the company owner is first to maintain the property ‘before coming to the question of profit at all’. 2009 (National ed.) 4 Sept. b2/3 So-called going-public bonds and other equity-linked loans can help company owners raise growth capital. C3. 1914 J. M. Lynch in 90 90 Naturally the wage-earners look askance at these company-instituted and company-controlled funds. 1920 13 Oct. 1220/3 One Toledo concern, having a company-operated store, had a committee of eight..to help in the management. 1936 June 1492 Important in mill welfare programs are their recreational activities centering in company subsidized community houses. 1959 33 111 Company-centered and industry-centered as their traditional foci of attention have been, business historians are now diligently searching for wider horizons. 1967 21 July 51 Some sort of new company-financed plan enabling an off-the-job worker to maintain ‘his normal living standard’ for up to a year. 1992 2 Nov. a1/3 They might be able to shift the investment mix of their accounts in a company-managed plan every three months. 1996 L. Gough iv. 53 An insured pension fund will be safer than many company-run arrangements. 2013 M. Latouche xiv. 158 Employees get..on site medical and health care. In addition, they have a company-subsidized cafeteria. b. 1950 29 July 20/2 A company funded pension plan whereby the employer lays aside an average of 6c an hour per employee. 1976 17 392 Company-funded hospitals, schools, boarding houses, and commissaries took care of the needs of workers and their families. 2002 (Nexis) 22 Feb. (Mag.) 48 The editors of the world's major medical journals made public their increasing alarm that company-funded research was distorting the integrity and independence of academic research. 1901 11 508 The company-owned tramcar must stop in the suburbs. 1907 24 June 2/1 The considerations which apply to (say) municipal trams cannot apply to company-owned tubes. 2004 26 Aug. 30/5 The..chain now has 68 company-owned stores. 1924 27July ii. 9/2 A company sponsored star, whose indifferent work or paucity of talent is distributed to a shock-absorbing organization. 1959 J. A. Perkins vii. 81 Job security and company-sponsored retirement plans also militate against sacrificing security to do public service. 2004 (Nexis) 3 Aug. 12 The unusual move is part of a company-sponsored scheme to motivate executives. C4. a. With the first element in singular form. 1872 H. W. Taunt 31/2 My boat is what is termed in Oxford phrase, a Company boat..a broad gig, with side-seats from the back rail, and an awning. 1900 W. E. Sherwood Pl. Facing p. 95 (caption) Old eight transformed into a ‘company boat’. society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > leader or commander > [noun] > leader or commander of specific unit society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > leader or commander > officer or soldier of rank > [noun] > commanding officer 1820 Let. from Secretary of War in (16th Congr., 2nd Session) IV. No. 45. 58 The sutler shall not credit any enlisted soldier..without the express sanction, in writing, of the man's company commander. 1913 R. Meinertzhagen 6 Oct. (1960) 55 What I should have liked to see is more automatic fire-power in the hands of both the battalion commander and the company commander. 2003 29 May 25/1 Company commanders resent the snipers as glory-hogging Sergeant Yorks. 1828 13 Jan. 25/2 He produced an agreement of rather a curious kind, which had been drawn up between the women. It stated, that they should keep the house in question as a ‘company house’. 1839 Nov. 480 The number of brothels is calculated from 4,000 to 5,000, some of which are termed ‘company houses’. 1875 20 Jan. 4/5 They preferred fixed occupancy, even with all its disadvantages, to the uncertain tenure of the company houses. 1920 20 Apr. 7/6 Taking into account the rate of exchange..this brings Monte Carlo hotel rates, for English visitors.., down to the level of a Blackpool company-house. 1947 9 June 23/2 Most Ruhr miners live in company houses, nice houses, for which the miners must pay rents to their companies. 2008 D. Courtney xvi. 174 I took a room in one of the company houses. the mind > emotion > love > courtship or wooing > [noun] > one who courts or woos the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > social intercourse or companionship > [noun] > sociable person 1554 W. Prat tr. J. Boemus i. sig. C.iiiv A whyle after was gyuen to him a company keper, to the entente that solitarines shulde not anoy him. 1581 A. Fleming 232 Be not a companie keeper with a faire woman, least thou be taken and intrapped with her faire lookes. 1595 6 Murdox had among diuers children a yong man to his yongest sonne, of body well proportioned, of face louely, a great company keeper. 1656 L. P. (single sheet) (verso) Rather then such a jack as thou, shouldst be my company keeper, Ile marry with a Beggar-man. 1668 S. Pepys 30 May (1976) IX. 218 One Richards, a tailor and great company-keeper. 1756 W. Toldervy III. 202 Company-keepers of froward and skittish women. 1794 E. Gunning III. iii. 42 The parson and his wife..were kind company-keepers to my dear lady as well as Sir William. 1877 E. Peacock Company-keeper, a female companion to a lady. ‘Faber's wife used to be comp'ny-keeper to Miss Alexander’. 1983 Dec. 29/2 The average Finn is not a lively company-keeper, but rather stays in his own world. society > leisure > social event > a merrymaking or convivial occasion > merrymaking or conviviality > [noun] > noisy or riotous the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > social intercourse or companionship > [adjective] > sociable 1529 tr. M. Luther in tr. Erasmus sig. f.iij Fayth is so mighty a thinge that no hurte can be to it ne to the possessioners therof by lyvinge or company keping with infideles and vnbelevers. 1586 A. Day i. sig. K6v Your companye keeping is without any order..your pastime recklesse. a1640 W. Fenner (1652) Ep. Ded. sig. A4v He knowes that drunkennesse, and company-keeping is a sinne. 1839 C. Dickens xii. 104 A company-keeping, love-making, pleasant sort of manner. 1953 16 Mar. 152/2 Since my boyhood I have heard my elders fulminating about company keeping. 2008 D. Stone 112 The people who receive visits..appreciate this company keeping. 1867 23 Mar. 400/3 The shares may be taken under an arrangement as in Bunn's case.., which was, it is true, antediluvian in company law, having been decided in 1861, but it holds good still in principle. 1946 21 39/2 Company law has long been at variance with current practice in at least 90 per cent of large public companies. 2002 E. McLaney & P. Atrill (rev. ed.) iv. 121 Company law also requires that the parent company of the group prepares consolidated or group accounts. 1835 Sept. 508/2 Every expedient [was] put in practice by the company-loving host to detain his guests. 1922 O. Elder xvii. 88 The native Hawaiians are as a race, gentle, companionable, social, kind, company-loving people. 2004 A. Smith xiii. 146 Visa, her company-loving cat, craved the attention of the house full of girls. society > occupation and work > worker > worker according to manner of working > [noun] > subordinating personal life the mind > emotion > humility > servility > [noun] > servile person > employee 1873 268 They employ 37 miners, 31 laborers, 19 drivers, 7 door-boys and 7 company men in the mine. 1879 11 Oct. 260/1 By ‘company men’ is meant men working for the company, on day-wages, as opposed to men on contract-work, or laborers employed by the miners. 1907 H. A. Worman in C. M. Woolley et al. xxv. 177 He owes it to his employer..to be a company man as long as he accepts the company's pay checks. Nor should he leave his loyalty at the office or factory. 1921 xxv. 17 Company Men. 1. Employees who are looked upon by some of their fellow workers as favoring too strongly the interests of the employer. 2. A term applied by union members to men who are engaged or suspected to be engaged by the employer for espionage; sometimes referred to ironically as ‘loyal workers’. 3. Salaried employees. 1969 24 July 125/3 One drawback of big companies like IPC is that they produce company men. 1969 27 Sept. 9/8 The most dedicated ‘company man’..will tell you what a fool he has been to stay with the firm. 1997 M. Aldrich ii. 47 Service men were paid by the hour and termed ‘company men’ or ‘day men’. 2003 8 Sept. 99/1 The soul-smothering masquerade of being a company man. 1861 Sept. 668 No one places much faith in the representation of the individual. He is known to be a company promoter. 1893 W. S. Gilbert i. 28 A Company promoter this. 1928 B. Russell 65 The phraseology..is that of the company-promoter rather than the philosopher. 2004 R. Dale ii. 37 Skullduggery on the part of company promoters, brokers and traders. 1863 11 July 41/1 The revival of the business of company-promoting, premium-hunting, and director-jobbing. 1890 3 July 2/2 Company-promoting has become a business. 1995 D. Kynaston II. ii. x. 179 A rising tide of criticism of all things to do with company promoting. 1889 21 May 2/3 This is especially noteworthy when comparing Mr. Binckes' salary with the average emoluments of company secretaries. 1983 B. A. K. Rider iii. 137 A director or special employee must not carry out any proposed transaction before receiving a written acknowledgment of his notification from the company secretary. 2010 (Nexis) 15 Jan. (Business section) 2 Company secretaries are a company's conscience... They..play a key role in keeping management ambitions in check by insisting no corners are cut during the decision-making process. society > armed hostility > warrior > soldier > leader or commander > officer by rank > [noun] > sergeant-major 1813 39 Whenever there are three Corporals present, with a Company Serjeant-major commanding, one is to be orderly of the day. 1889 i. vii. 78 The following positions held by Non-Commissioned Officers and men of the army are ranks:—..Troop, battery, or company serjeant-major. 1913 §5 In each company there will be eventually a company serjeant-major and a company quartermaster-serjeant. For the present the duties of these appointments will be carried out by the existing colour-serjeants. 1919 G. K. Rose 125 Moberly, Company Sergeant-Major Cairns, and Guest..greatly distinguished themselves in the task of maintaining this exposed position. 1999 T. Harnden (2000) i. 38 I had just lost my best company sergeant major to an IRA bomb. 1900 2 June 4/2 The class, which numbers about fifty men and includes the general manager, studies on ‘company time’ and is supplied with drawing paper by the firm. 1989 J. C. Nash iv. 106 The company offered to permit workers to vote on the strike proposal at the plant during company time. 2004 (Nexis) 11 Jan. (Culture section) 10 It is no good managers squawking about people shopping online on company time if nobody has explained what is acceptable. society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > district in relation to human occupation > town as opposed to country > town > [noun] > town with other industry or occupation 1907 A. C. Veatch 47 All these towns..are coal-mining towns—‘company towns’—pure and simple. 1933 E. Caldwell vii. 107 They passed through the other company towns,..looking out at the humming mills. 1963 P. Willmott ii. 16 The firm does not dominate the estate. Dagenham is far from being a ‘company town’. 2006 12 July 15/1 One of the last surviving company towns in America..is about to move into the 21st century. society > occupation and work > working > association of employers or employees > [noun] > trade union > within a particular establishment 1917 R. F. Hoxie 51 There are virtually no ‘company’ unions in Great Britain. 1921 W. R. Browne 90 Company Union, an organization of workers within a particular shop or establishment, and having no connection or association with what employers call an ‘outside union’. 1962 31 May 947/1 To smash what was known as the company union. 2012 M. Miura v. 106 Company unions tend to accept a company's restructuring plans. 1918 5 123/2 Departmental executives with no company-wide functions may prepare for the time when their company will adopt progressive methods. 1951 16 Feb. 1/4 The new ‘interpretation’ prohibits..taking the highest price charged..and applying it company-wide. 1998 Aug. 169/2 Each Friday, there's a company-wide beer bash at which everyone watches ‘weeklies’ of films in progress. 2009 G. Hedley 62 This allows the team to work out all the bugs before implementing it company-wide. the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > sewn or ornamented textile fabric > [noun] > needlework > done in presence of others 1839 C. Gascoigne x. 142 The ladies..took out, with most industrious intentions, the little bit of company work, which they carried about with them. 1844 C. M. Yonge xi. 232 ‘You have been six months braiding that frock.’ ‘Oh! that is company work... I began it at Merton Hall.’ 1952 G. Raverat viii. 148 In those days..every lady had a piece of ‘company work’ in hand. b. With the first element in plural form. 1932 5 May 17/4 Mr. Justice Maugham in the Companies Court of the Chancery Division. 1982 12 Jan. ii. 19 Lawyers for Associated appeared before Mr Justice Slade in the English companies court to defend a payment of £560,000 ($1.06m) to Mr Gill and a provision to allow him to buy a £275,000 company house. 2013 (Nexis) 6 Mar. 12 An argument by two Saudi princes that they are entitled to ‘sovereign immunity’ from a complex legal case at the companies court. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2014; most recently modified version published online June 2022). companyv. Origin: A borrowing from French. Etymon: French companier. Etymology: < Anglo-Norman companier, cumpanier, cumpainner, Anglo-Norman and Middle French compaigner, Middle French compagner, compagnier, compaignier to associate, to keep company, to form a company or group (c1150 in Old French, originally reflexive; frequently in compaigner à ), to join, unite (two or more things) (13th cent. or earlier), to have sexual intercourse or a sexual relationship (with a person) (a1320 or earlier), to accompany (a person or group of people) (first half of the 14th cent. or earlier) < compagnie , compaignie company n. Compare Old Occitan companhar , Spanish †compañar (a1284), Italian compagnare (13th cent.), and also Middle Low German kumpānīen (reflexive). Compare later accompany v.The Middle English forms compayne, cumpayne may reflect the stressed stem of the French verb. 1. society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > associate together or with [verb (intransitive)] 1387–8 Petition London Mercers in R. W. Chambers & M. Daunt (1931) 35 (MED) Yif..ony conseille wolde haue taken to ayeinstande it, or..wolden companye togydre [etc.]. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. xii. xviii. 629 He [sc. the capoun]..companye [perh. read companyeþ] with hennes and etiþ with hem. ?c1430 (?1383) J. Wyclif (1871) III. 286 Þei [sc. prestis] wil not dwelle wiþ hem..to cumpayne, and seie here masse. 1480 (Caxton) xv Because they companye with englisshmen. ?1504 S. Hawes sig. ee.iiii Praynge me to company with her noblenesse. 1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus I. Matt. ix. f. 58 I cumpany with the Publicains and sinners. 1643 J. Burroughes 588 When mens counsels for peace are crooked counsels, when they seek to company for their own ends. 1651 T. Hobbes iii. xlii. 288 To have companyed with the first and prime Apostles. 1736 S. Duck 318 Wolves company with Wolves, and Sheep with Sheep. 1833 T. Chalmers (1835) I. vi. 265 When men of very acute sensibilities company together. 1885 15 137 Sending a sane man to company with madmen. 1929 24 Feb. 25/2 The fisherman apostle has enjoyed..the fellowship and teaching of Jesus as they companied together. 1992 J. M. Childs vi. 56 To company with the dying means to share fully in their life, even its end. the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity [verb (intransitive)] > have sexual intercourse a1425 Adam & Eve (Wheatley) in M. Day (1921) 86 (MED) Adam cumpanyede wiþ his wijf. ?a1425 (c1400) (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 192 What man..þat hath companyed with hire. c1443 R. Pecock (1927) 349 (MED) Whanne euer man and woman cumpanyen togidere fleischly in wedlok. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. (1882–7) xlvi. 154 I charge you..that ye be not so hardy to company with her bodely tyll ye be maryed together. 1579 W. Fulke Heskins Parl. Repealed in 93 They had companyed with their wiues. 1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas i. ii. 44 The lustie Heau'n with Earth doth company. 1611 Susanna 58 Vnder what tree didst thou take them companying together? View more context for this quotation 1700 G. Booth tr. Diodorus Siculus iii. i. 92 Then they fall promiscuously..to company with their Women, for procreation sake. 1740 P. Pineda (new ed.) (at cited word) To company with a Woman carnally. 1926 E. A. W. Budge p. xxiii King Unas..was able to company with as many women as he pleased. society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > a companion or associate > accompany or associate with [verb (transitive)] a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 12379 Whenne þei had companyed him so Forþ in pees he bad hem go. 1526 Acts x. 28 A jewe to company or to come unto an alient. 1574 J. Jones sig. C.iiii If a contagious..person shall frequent and company one not infected. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. vi. 409 I am Sir The Souldier that did company these three. View more context for this quotation a1640 J. Fletcher et al. Queene of Corinth iii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher (1647) sig. Bbbbbb2v/1 Your goodnesse companies your greatnesse. 1700 C. Mutel tr. J. F. Ostervald ii. ii. 276 I wrote unto you already not to company Fornicators. 1718 M. Prior Solomon on Vanity iii, in (new ed.) 477 Rage companies our Hate. 1799 R. Southey in 30 Mar. 3/1 He shall..company Down to the western palace of his rest The Prince of Glory. 1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante II. xxxii. 148 The fair dame..companied By Statius and myself, pursued the wheel. 1842 M. F. Tupper 2nd Ser. 265 Let honesty be companied by charity of heart. 1906 E. Raymond xiii. 219 I've a mind to company them a bit. 1982 I. Asimov (1983) vii. 104 Be you feared? Shall I company you? 2010 M. Lovric 76 I companied him to the boat and waved him and my letter godspeed to South Hamerica. society > society and the community > social relations > association for a common purpose > associate with for common purpose [verb (transitive)] > bring into association a1500 (?c1450) xxii. 388 The xl knyghtes that with hem were companyed. 1534 R. Whittington tr. Cicero i. sig. C.8 Reason..dothe allure & companyeth men togythers by a naturall socyete. a1593 C. Marlowe (1594) sig. I2v To companie my hart with sad laments. a1627 A. Craig (1631) l. 646 Downe lighted that Dame, Companied with none, but her Palfray and Page. society > leisure > social event > a merrymaking or convivial occasion > merrymaking or conviviality > make merry [verb (intransitive)] 1591 E. Spenser Prosopopoia in 506 If thee list unto the Court to throng..there thou needs must learne, to laugh, to lie, To face, to forge, to scoffe, to companie. Derivatives society > inhabiting and dwelling > [noun] > together society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > [noun] c1443 R. Pecock (1927) 360 Wenyng þat al maner of fleischli cumpanying in wedlok is bi þe wedlok excusid. c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 159 (MED) That the good knyȝt be put out of mennys cumpanying. ?1550 J. Bale 35 A companyenge of men with their owne wyves. 1574 A. Gilby tr. sig. Bviiiv Continuall companiyings do not alwayes worke wickednesse. 1608 Bp. J. Hall II. iii. ix. 97 Companying with Infidels may not be simply condemned. a1648 G. Gillespie (1649) 5 A conversing and companying with wicked persons. 1867 T. Chenery tr. Al-Ḥarῑrῑ I. xii. 170 I have needed not the companying of a guard. 1902 ‘M. Fairless’ 70 The salt and speer of the sea, the companying with great ships, the fresh burden. 1996 C. T. R. Hayward 16 A dazzling radiance manifesting God's companying with Israel. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2014; most recently modified version published online June 2022). > as lemmascompany <  n.a1275 v.1387as lemmas |
