Com"pa*ny (?), n.; pl. Companies (#). [F. compagnie, fr. OF. compaing. See Companion.]
1.
The state of being a companion or companions; the act of accompaying; 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; assembly; society; group; circle; crowd; troop; crew; gang; corporation; association; fraternity; guild; partnership; copartnery; union; club; party; gathering.
© Webster 1913.
Com"pa*ny (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Companied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Companying.]
To accompany or go with; to be companion to.
[Obs.]
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.