COMPANY
Com"pa*ny, n.; pl. Companies. Etym: [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.)
Defn: A subdivision of a regiment of troops under the command of a captain, numbering in the United States (full strength) 100 men.