from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Partition \Par*ti"tion\, n. [F. partition, L. partitio. See
{Part}, v.]
1. The act of parting or dividing; the state of being parted;
separation; division; distribution; as, the partition of a
kingdom.
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And good from bad find no partition. --Shak.
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2. That which divides or separates; that by which different
things, or distinct parts of the same thing, are
separated; separating boundary; dividing line or space;
specifically, an interior wall dividing one part or
apartment of a house, a compartment of a room, an
inclosure, or the like, from another; as, a brick
partition; lath and plaster partitions; cubicles with
four-foot high partitions.
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No sight could pass
Betwixt the nice partitions of the grass. --Dryden.
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3. A part divided off by walls; an apartment; a compartment.
[R.] "Lodged in a small partition." --Milton.
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4. (Law.) The severance of common or undivided interests,
particularly in real estate. It may be effected by consent
of parties, or by compulsion of law.
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5. (Mus.) A score.
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{Partition of numbers} (Math.), the resolution of integers
into parts subject to given conditions. --Brande & C.
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