Forms: 3 compainie, 3–5 compaygni(e, -paigny(e, -ie, payny(e, 3–7 companye, -ie, 4 compagnie, -peynye, -ie, -payne, 6 compeigny, -pani, (5 compeney, -pony, 6 -penie, -pene), 4– company; also 4 cumpaignye, -paynye, -peny, 4–5 cumpany(e, 5 cumpane, 6 -painy, -pane. [a. OF. cum-, compaignie, -pagnie, -pegnie, in Afr. compaynie (Britton), = Pr. companhia, Cat. companyía, Sp. compañía, Pg. companhia, It. compagnia, a Romanic formation in -ía on stem com-pagn-: see COMPANION. OF. had also compagne, compaigne, compaine (:—Rom. type compa·nia, compagna), which is app. represented by compaynes in sense 8.]
1. Companionship, fellowship, society; † also transf. of things. In company: in the society of others, amidst other people, as opposed to alone; † also, altogether, in all (obs.).
c. 1250. Old Kent. Serm., in O. E. Misc. (1872), 31. Deseu[e]rd of þo compainie of gode and of alle his angles.
1340. Hampole, Pr. Consc., 6844. In whas company þai sal ay duelle.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 72. To take His compaigny.
c. 1440. Gesta Rom., II. xiv. (Roxb.), 312. My sone … be wele ware of womans companye.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 372. Yet before we come there, we shall not be three hundreth in companie.
1607. Shaks., Cor., IV. iii. 54. Most glad of your Company.
1655. Gurnall, Chr. in Arm., xv. § 2 (1669), 111/2. That we may be rid of both your companies at once.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 90, ¶ 7. I was often in Company with a Couple of charming Women.
1872. E. Peacock, Mabel Heron, II. i. 2. His desire for his sister’s company.
1882. J. Parker, Apost. Life, I. 85. I thank God I can walk out in company!
fig. a. 1639. Wotton, Rules of Arch. (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.
b. Phrases. To bear, † do, † hold, keep (a person) company: to give a person one’s company; to accompany. To part († lose) company (with): to cease to be companions, or a companion of. For company: for company’s sake.
c. 1300. Beket, 990. If eni so wod were, That Seint Thomas consaillede and cumpaignye bere.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 73. Scho bare him company.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, III. 347. This which thou me dost for companie. Ibid. (c. 1385), L. G. W., 1404, Hipsiphile & Medea. Dide hym al honour & compaynye.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 415/3. Anthonye whyche wrote hys lyf and helde hym companye.
1509. Hawes, Past. Pleas., II. vii. These greyhoundes shal kepe you company.
1709. Lond. Gaz., No. 4521/1. The Anglesea and Sunderland lost Company with us.
1720. De Foe, Capt. Singleton, vii. (1840), 116. If gold … did not … cause us to part companies.
1732. Pope, Ess. Man, I. 112. His faithful dog shall bear him company.
1864. Tennyson, En. Ard., 34. The little wife would weep for company.
1884. W. C. Smith, Kildrostan, 72. It is her place to keep me company.
1886. Morley, Pattison’s Mem., in Crit. Misc., III. 171. Our instructor parts company from us too soon.
c. To keep company (with): to associate with, frequent the society of; esp. (vulgar and dial.) to associate as lovers or as a lover, to ‘court.’
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 730. To drinke and make good cheere, and keepe company with them.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., III. ii. 73. The Gentleman is of no hauing, hee kept companie with the wilde Prince.
1611. Bible, 1 Cor. v. 11. But now I haue written vnto you, not to keepe company, if any man that is called a brother bee a fornicator, or couetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner: with such a one, no, not to eate.
1715–25. W. Broome, Odyssey (J. s.v. Keep). She could not approve of a young woman keeping company with men, without the permission of father or mother.
1861. Dickens, Gt. Expect., vii. I offered to your sister to keep company, and to be asked in church.
1861. Sala, Twice round Clock, 112. The young women with whom I have (to adopt the term current in domestic service) ‘kept company.’
1873. Tristram, Moab, xiii. 236. The oleanders and the water always keeping company, and preserving each other.
d. Proverbial expressions, as His room is better than his company, Two’s company, three’s none, Company in distress makes trouble less.
1617. Hieron, Wks., (1619–20), II. 254. We would rather haue his roome then his companie.
1732. Berkeley, Alciphr., I. 113. We had rather have their Room than their Company.
1732. T. Fuller, Gnomol. (Hazl.). Two is company, but three is none.
1880. Mrs. Parr, Adam & Eve, ix. 124. ‘Two’s company and three ’s trumpery, my dear.’
† 2. Sexual connection. Obs.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s. T., 1453. Noght wol I knowe the compaignye of man.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, 3. Thamar that had company with her husbondes fader.
1549. Latimer, 2nd Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (Arb.), 56. He hadde no bodilye companie wyth hyr.
1616. Surfl. & Markh., Country Farm, VII. xxxiv. The female … ceaseth … to admit the companie of the male.
3. concr. A number of individuals assembled or associated together; an assemblage, party, or band: esp. one of retainers or followers: a retinue or train; also, of beasts or birds.
c. 1290. Lives Saints (1887), 88. Þe compaygnie þat … to hire cam.
a. 1300. K. Horn, 879. Horn and his compaynye Gunne after hem.
c. 1340. Cursor M., 3992 (Fairf.). Of folke ij companys comis with me.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 24. Well nine and twentie in a compagnie Of sondry folk.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 111. The lusty compaignie Of foules by the morwe singe.
1548–9. (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, 2. The gloryous company of the Apostles.
1611. Bible, Song Sol. i. 9. I haue compared thee, O my loue, to a company of horses in Pharaohs chariots.
1652. Needham, trans. Selden’s Mare Cl., 99. A companie of above thirtie the most eminent among them [Lawyers].
1864. Couch, Brit. Fishes, III. 158. It [Turbot] appears to wander … in small companies.
1870. L’Estrange, Miss Mitford, I. ii. 37. The company in the inside [of the coach] … being tolerably quiet.
† b. An assemblage, collection, or multitude of things. Obs.
1577. B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., I. (1586), 27. It putteth out a great company of small rootes.
1605. T. Hutton, Reason for Refusal, 41. An infinite company of the like instances might be giuen.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., II. iii. VII. (1651), 359. Cotys … that brake a company of fine glasses presented to him.
1677. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., II. vii. 203. The infinite company of Islands lying between the Continent of China and Nova Guinea.
† c. Formerly great company, and the like, were used in the sense of ‘a great number’: cf. colloquial ‘great lot.’ Obs.
a. 1275. Prov. Ælfred, xxxiv. 709, in O. E. Misc., 138. Þuru þis lore and genteleri, he amendit huge companie.
1297. R. Glouc. (1724), 370. Gret compaynye of hey men … were þo in Scotlonde.
c. 1325. Metr. Hom., 160. Scho … saw com gret compaynye Of fair maidens.
4. collect. Persons casually or temporarily brought into local association, travelling companionship, etc. More loosely, with the notion of companionship obscured, ‘People such as prevent solitude or privacy’; and so applicable to a single person. Obs. exc. as referred to 5.
c. 1440. York Myst., xx. 12. Hamward I rede we hye … Because of Company Þat will wende in oure waye.
c. 1540. Pilgr. T., 168, in Thynne’s Animadv. (1865), 82. I was my-selue, & company had non.
1542. Boorde, Dyetary, xxxii. (1870), 294. Where there is great resorte of company … in churche, in sessyons, and market-places.
1596. Shaks., Tam. Shr., IV. v. 26. But soft, Company is comming here. Enter Vincentio.]
1693. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), III. 18. Company coming in, they made off, and left the dead man behind on Blackheath.
1722. Journ. thro’ Eng., I. 76. Its [Hampstead’s] nearness to London brings so many loose Women … that modest Company are asham’d to appear here.
Mod. I hoped we should be private here, but I find we have company.
b. The person or persons with whom one voluntarily or habitually associates; companions or associates collectively, esp. with reference to their character; in various phrases, as To know a man by his company, to keep good or bad company, to be addicted to low company, etc.
1601. Dent, Pathw. Heaven, 312. As a man is, so is his company.
1620. Shelton, Quix., III. xxiii. 162. You shall know the Parson by his Company.
1770. Burke, Pres. Discont., Wks. 1842, I. 152. Unfortunate in the choice of his political company.
fig. 1633. G. Herbert, Temple, Church-porch, xxiii. Houses are built by rule, and common-wealths … Who lives by rule then, keeps good companie.
c. Good company, bad company, and the like, are said of one or more persons with reference to their companionable qualities; also fig. of things.
1637. Sir H. Blount, Voy. Levant (ed. 2), 8. Drinke … which made them fitter company for the Divell, then for a Christian.
1653. Walton, Angler, 2. Good company makes the way seem shorter. Ibid., 46. At Trout-Hal … there is usually an Angler that proves good company.
1670. Eachard, Cont. Clergy, 36. Now, such stuff [Greek and Latin] being out of fashion, is esteemed but very bad company.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 462, ¶ 1. He is very pleasant Company.
1845. Ford, Handbk. Spain, I. 47. No company is better than bad company.
1870. Emerson, Soc. & Solit., Wks. (Bohn), III. 3. Dante was very bad company, and was never invited to dinner.
1887. Hall Caine, Deemster, xl. 261. He [the dog] was now my constant company.
5. A gathering of people for social intercourse or entertainment; a social party; a circle. Formerly a reunion or assembly of more public character.
[c. 1325. Kindh. Jesu, 1727, in O. E. Leg. (Horstm. 1875). Win bigan to failli To þat ilke compaygni.]
1653. Walton, Angler, 46. Another of the company that shall be nameless.
1665. Boyle, Occas. Refl., V. ix. (1675), 328. As welcome as she is unto the best Companies.
1727. Swift, Gulliver, II. i. 103. Drank to her ladyship’s health … which made the company laugh.
1774. Chesterf., Lett., I. Advt. 14. He presumed his Son might thereby be domesticated in the best foreign companies.
1802. Mar. Edgeworth, Moral T. (1816), I. 219. Talked of in public companies at … Berlin.
1851. Helps, Friends in C., I. 1. I can add little or nothing to the pleasure of any company.
b. (without a or pl.). Guests collectively; one or more persons invited or entertained.
1579. Lyly, Euphues (Arb.), 45. My company stay my comming.
1649. Jer. Taylor, Gt. Exemp., II. 2. They had more company than wine.
1732. Berkeley, Alciphr., VII. § 34. Company came in, which put an end to our conversation.
1775. Johnson, Lett. Mrs. Thrale, 10 June. Hector had company in his house.
1883. Lloyd, Ebb & Flow, II. 97. I see some more company arriving.
c. Society. arch. (attrib.: see 10.)
1576. Fleming, Panop. Epist., 372. Ignoraunce is suche an impediment in man … it maketh him unfit for good companie.
1685. Dryden, Sylvæ, Pref., in Misc. (1702) II. A 3. The proprieties and delicacies of the English are known to few; ’tis impossible even for a good Wit, to understand and practice them without the help of a liberal Education, long Reading, and digesting of those few good Authors we have amongst us, the knowledge of Men and Manners, the freedom of habitudes and conversation with the best company of both Sexes; and, in short, without wearing off the rust which he contracted, while he was laying in a stock of Learning.
a. 1687. Petty, Pol. Arith. (1690), 73. To put on better Apparel when he appears in Company.
1767. Fordyce, Serm. Yng. Women (ed. 4), I. i. 26. To let them see Company.
1806–7. J. Beresford, Miseries Hum. Life (1826), VI. Concl. The practice of ‘going into company’ as the phrase is.
d. In the phrase To transgress, etc., in good company there is association of senses 4 and 5.
1817. Edin. Mag., Aug. Though it was a disgrace for ladies to be seen drunk, yet it was none to be a little intoxicated in good company.
1888. M. Morris, Claverhouse, i. 6. In this respect at least Claverhouse sinned in good company.
1888. R. P. Laurie, in Times, 17 Aug., 8/6. If I am wrong, I have erred in very good company.
6. A body of persons combined or incorporated for some common object, or for the joint execution or performance of anything; esp. a mediæval trade guild, and hence, a corporation historically representing such, as in the London ‘City Companies.’
1389. in Eng. Gilds (1870), 35. The dettes þat he owen to Alderman & þe compayne.
1497–8. Old City Acc. Bk., in Archæol. Jrnl., XLIII. A writing sealid by the hoole Compeigny.
1535. Bury Wills (1850), 125. I gyff and bequethe to the company of Ihc colege in Bury.
1540. Act 32 Hen. VIII., c. 42 § 4. Except hee be a Freeman of the same Corporation and Company.
a. 1600. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., VI. v. § 9. The bequeathing of … ample possessions to religious companies.
1839. Penny Cycl., 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. Bright, Sp. or Ireland, 14 March. I never heard of much good that was done by all the money of the London Companies.
1884. Daily News, 23 Sept., 3/2. [Hopping] It takes ten persons and five bins to make a ‘company,’ two persons working to a bin.
b. A party of players, a theatrical corps; formerly also a band of musicians.
1503. in Leland, Coll. (1770), III. App. 265. Amonge the saide lordes and the qweene was in order Johannes and his companye, the minstrills of musicke, etc.
1613. in Crt. & Times Jas. I. (1848), I. 253. Burbage’s company were acting at the Globe the play of Henry VIII.
1712. Dennis, Ess. Shakespear, iii. 31–2. We know very well that Shakespear was an Actor, at a Time, when there were seven or eight Companies of Players in the Town together, who each of them did their utmost Endeavours to get the Audiences from the rest.
1716. Lady M. W. Montague, Lett., xvii. The king’s company of French comedians play here every night.
1872. Morley, Voltaire, (1886), 111. The rigour of the rule did not forbid theatrical performances, when any company, even a company of marionettes, came into the neighbourhood.
7. Commerce. An association formed to carry on some commercial or industrial undertaking.
‘When there are only a few individuals associated, it is most commonly called a copartnery, the term company being usually applied to large associations … who conduct their operations by means of agents acting under the orders of a Board of directors’ (McCulloch, Dict. Comm., s.v.).
Exclusive or Joint Stock Company: one having a certain amount of JOINT STOCK (q.v.) divided into transferable shares, and managed for the common advantage of the shareholders by a body of responsible directors.
Open or Regulated Company: one which does not possess a joint stock, the members trading on their own stock and at their own risk. Chartered Company: see CHARTERED.
Limited (Liability) Company: one in which the liability of the members is limited, usually to the amount of capital subscribed by each.
John Company (the East India Company): see JOHN.
1553. Note, in Hakluyt, Voy. (1589), 265. The mysteree and company of the Marchants Aduenturers of the Citie of London.
1599. Minute-bk. E. Ind. Co., in H. Stevens, Dawn Brit. Trade (1886), 10. That ther Ll. would … geave the Companie a warraunt to proceade in the viage.
1694. Child, Disc. Trade (ed. 4), 110. Companies of Merchants are of two sorts, viz. Companies in joint stock, such as the East-India-Company, the Morea-Company … and the Greenland Company … the other sorts are Companies who trade not by a joint stock, but only are under a government and regulation, such are the Hamborough-Company, the Turkey-Company, the Eastland Company, the Muscovia-Company.
1776. Adam Smith, W. N., V. i. (1869), II. 325. In a joint-stock company … each member can … transfer his share to another person, and thereby introduce a new member.
1800. [see CHARTERED 1].
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. xvi. The Mall … is lined by the stately houses of banking companies, railway companies, and insurance companies.
1863. Burton, Bk. Hunter, 251. Scott used to say that the Bannatyne Club was the only successful joint-stock company he ever invested in.
1889. Times, Dec. The South Metropolitan Gas Company and the Stokers’ Strike.
b. The partner or partners in a firm whose names are not included in the style or title; generally contracted to CO., COMP.
1569. Depos. John Hawkins, in Arb., Garner, V. 231. The said Sir William Garrard ard Company, did also then provide, prepare, and lade in those ships much wares.
1677. Lond. Direct. (1878), Edw. Clark and Compa. Cheap side. Ibid., Mr. Sherbrook, Company, with Mr. Clark in Cheapside.
1877. (title) A Catalogue of Standard Works published by Charles Griffin & Company.
See CO.
(contemptuous.) 1757. Chesterf., Lett., IV. 92. He is resolved to make a push at the Duke of N., Pitt, and Co.
8. Mil. a. A body of soldiers; † a host, a troop.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 58. A prest … is an aungel of þe lord of compaynes.
c. 1450. Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 562/30. Alaris, a company of hors.
1535. Coverdale, Judg. vii. 20. All the thre companies blewe with ye trompettes, and brake the pitchers.
1636. Blunt, Voy. Levant, 6. The Venetians … keepe it with strong companies both of Horse and Foot.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., II. xx. 105. A very small company of souldiers, surprised by an army.
1727–51. Chambers, Cycl., s.v., The French … also have their free companies who never enter the body of any regiment, and companies of ordonnance who … consist of the gendarmes and light-horse.
1874. Boutell, Arms & Arm., vii. 101. At the first each body, uniform and complete in itself, formed a company.
b. spec. A sub-division of an infantry regiment commanded by a captain, and corresponding to a troop of horse and a battery of artillery.
Independent company: ‘A Company of Foot-Soldiers … that is not imbody’d in a Regiment’ (Kersey, 1708).
1590. Sir J. Smyth, Disc. Weapons, 7. Such great bands … are … readie … to bee employed in whole companies under their Captaines.
1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., IV. ii. 46. There’s not a Shirt and a halfe in all my Company.
1598. Barret, Theor. Warres, II. i. 15. The Campe-maister deuides his regiment into companies.
1642. Declar. Lords & Com. for Raising Forces, 22 Dec., 7. That the Dragooners be put into Companies, And that one hundred and twelve be allotted to a Company.
1644. Milton, Educ. (1738), 137. To the convenience of a foot company, or interchangeably two Troops of Cavalry.
1722. De Foe, Col. Jack (1840), 242. I … sold my company in the … regiment.
1844. Regul. & Ord. Army, 135. Captains are to pay their own Troops and Companies.
9. Naut. † a. A fleet of merchant vessels. Obs.
1530. Palsgr., 207/2. Company or meyny of shippes, flotte.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., Company of Ships … a fleet of merchant-vessels, who make a kind of charter-party among themselves … they engage not to quit one another, but to defend each other reciprocally, during their voyage. These associates, in the Mediterranean, are called conserves.
b. (in full ship’s company) ‘The whole crew of any ship, including her officers, men, and boys.’
1610. Shaks., Temp., II. ii. 178. The King, and all our company else being dround.
1667. Pepys, Diary (1879), IV. 444. Two of our ship’s companies did desert their ship.
1694. Narborough, Acc. Sev. Late Voy., I. (1711), 43. I doubted not the success of my Voyage, though the Company thought twould be dangerous.
1719. De Foe, Crusoe (1840), II. ix. 213. The … ship’s company consisted of sixty-five men.
1836. Marryat, Midsh. Easy, xxvii. The ship’s company were mustered.
10. attrib. and Comb., as (sense 5) company-china, -face, -manners, -trim; (sense 7) company-account, -fund, -promoting; (sense 8) company-drill, -match, -officer; company boat (see quot.); company-keeper, one who keeps company; (a.) a frequenter of company, esp. in bad sense, a reveller; (b.) a ‘follower,’ wooer. Also company-keeping sb. and attrib.
1660. T. Willsford, Scales Commerce, II. IV. 212. What things soever a Merchant delivers … whether for Proper, Factorage, or *Company-account in money or wares … is Creditor.
1872. H. W. Taunt, Map of Thames, 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.
1866. Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., III. 336. Ten cups of *company-china.
1890. Glasgow Herald, 18 Aug., 10/1. The movements included *company drill, manual and firing exercises.
c. 1805. Mar. Edgeworth, Wks. (Rtldg.), I. 340. Miss Fanshaw had now resumed her *company face and attitude.
1855. Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., II. 259. I have had to put on my company face to-night.
a. 1655. Roxb. Ballads, VI. 368. Rather than such a Jack as thee should’st be my *company-keeper, I’ll marry with a Beggar-man.
1668. Pepys, Diary, 30 May. One Richards, a tailor and great company-keeper.
1756. Toldervy, Two Orphans, III. 202. Company-keepers of froward and skittish women.
1877. E. Peacock, N. W. Lincolnsh. Gloss., Company-keeper, a female companion to a lady. ‘Faber’s wife used to be comp’ny-keeper to Miss Alexander.’
1592. A. Day, Eng. Secretarie (1625), 141. Your *company-keeping is … without any order … your pastime recklesse.
1626. W. Fenner, Hidden Manna (1652), A 4 b. He knowes that drunkennesse and company-keeping is a sinne.
1838. Dickens, Nich. Nick., xii. A company-keeping, love-making, pleasant sort of manner. Ibid. (1861), Gt. Expect., xxiii. Keeping a bashful watch upon my *company-manners.
1844. Regul. & Ord. Army, 226. *Company Officers, comprehending Captains and Subalterns.
1890. Pall Mall G., 3 July, 2/2. *Company-promoting has become a business.
1879. F. W. Robinson, Coward Consc., II. ix. Marcus found a dress-suit for his brother, and put him once more into *company-trim.
