partner

partner, copartner, colleague, ally, confederate all denote an associate but they differ markedly in connotation and are not freely interchangeable.

Partner implies especially an associate in a business (partnership) or one of two associates (as in some games, in a dance, or in marriage)

{

in mind and character Mrs. Adams was a worthy partner throughout his career— W. C. Ford

}

Since partner alone implies association, the addition of co-, with its implication of association, in copartner sometimes adds little or nothing to partner; thus, one may refer equally to partners or copartners in crime. Copartner, however, can distinctively imply fellow partner

{

the authority of a partner to bind his copartners—Encyc. Brit.

}

or equality of share

{

a copartner in that sovereignty of the people— Spence

}

Colleague applies typically to an associate in office or in professional or academic relations

{

like their colleagues elsewhere, Illinois' lawmakers lack adequate facilities and staffs— Armbrister

}

Ally and confederate, though referable to persons, more frequently denote an associated state or government.

Ally suggests an often temporary association in a common cause (as the prosecution of a war) or in affairs of policy or statecraft

{

it is not really the treaty that makes an ally of another nation— Hayes

}

Confederate (see also CONFEDERATE 2) implies an entering into a confederacy or confederation and usually suggests a closer or more permanent union for strength and solidarity.

Antonyms: rival