all-party
Meaning
Involving or representing all the political parties in a country or assembly.
Structure
Usage
An all-party committee was formed to investigate the issue.
The resolution received rare all-party support in parliament.
They attended an all-party meeting on constitutional reform.
Etymology
The compound adjective "all-party" is a modern English formation built from two native elements. "All" derives from the Proto-Germanic allaz, carrying the core sense of "whole, entire," which has remained remarkably stable. "Party," entering English via Anglo-Norman, originates from the Latin verb partire (to divide, share), reflecting the concept of a group formed from a division of the whole populace. The logical construction of the word is transparent: "all" modifies "party" to create a sense of inclusivity across every political division, directly describing an activity or agreement that encompasses the complete spectrum of represented political groups.
Analysis
- all: From Old English eall, meaning "entire, whole, every." It functions as a combining form meaning "completely, wholly." - party: From Old French partie, meaning "part, side, faction," ultimately from Latin partire "to divide." In this compound, it refers specifically to a political faction or group.