E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Party.
Person or persons under consideration. “This is the next party, your worship”—i.e. the next case to be examined. “This is the party that stole the things”—the person or persons accused. (French, partie, a person.)
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“If an evil spirit trouble any, one must make a smoke … and the party shall be no more vexed.”—Tobit vi. 7.
