COMPANY, n.

1. In military affairs, the soldiers united under the command of a captain; a subdivision of a regiment, consisting usually of a number from 60 to 100 men. But the number is indefinite.
2. Any assemblage of persons; a collection of men, or other animals, in a very indefinite sense. It may be applied to a small number, or any multitude whatever; as in Scripture we read of a company of priests, a company of prophets, and an innumerable company of angels; also, a company of horses.
3. An assemblage of persons for entertainment or festivity; a party collected by invitation or otherwise.
4. Persons that associate with others for conversation or pleasure; society; as, let your children keep good company.
5. The state of being a companion; the act of accompanying; fellowship; society; as, we can not enjoy the company of licentious men. I will keep thee company. – Dryden.
6. A number of persons united for the same purpose, or in a joint concern; as, a company of merchants or mechanics; a company of players. The word is applicable to private partnerships or to incorporated bodies of men. Hence it may signify a firm, house or partnership; or a corporation, as the East India Company, a banking or insurance company.
7. The crew of a ship, including the officers; also, a fleet. To bear company, to accompany; to attend; to go with; denoting a temporary association. His faithful dog shall bear him company. – Pope. To keep company, to accompany; to attend; also, to associate with frequently or habitually; hence, to frequent public houses. – Prov. xxix.

1. To associate with; to frequent the company of. I wrote you not to company with fornicators. – 1 Cor. v.
2. To be a gay companion. [Obs.] – Spenser.
3. To have commerce with the other sex. – Bp. Hall.

To accompany; to attend; to go with; to be companion to. [But accompany is generally used.]

1. The state of being a companion or companions; the act of accompanying; 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. To accompany or go with] to be companion to.
   
   
   [Obs.]
3. To associate.
   
   

   Men which have companied with us all the time.
   Acts i. 21.

4. A companion or companions.
   
   

   To thee and thy company I bid
   A hearty welcome.
   Shak.

5. To be a gay companion.
   
   
   [Obs.] Spenser.
6. An assemblage or association of persons, either permanent or transient.
   
   

   Thou shalt meet a company of prophets.
   1 Sam. x. 5.

7. To have sexual commerce.
   
   
   [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
8. Guests or visitors, in distinction from the members of a family; as, to invite company to dine.
9. 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.

10. 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.
11. Partners in a firm whose names are not mentioned in its style or title; -- often abbreviated in writing; as, Hottinguer *** Co.
12. A subdivision of a regiment of troops under the command of a captain, numbering in the United States (full strength) 100 men.
13. The crew of a ship, including the officers] as, a whole ship's company.
14. 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; circle; crowd; troop; crew; gang; corporation; association; fraternity; guild; partnership; copartnery; union; club; party; gathering.