Part·ner n.
 1. One who has a part in anything with an other; a partaker; an associate; a sharer. “Partner of his fortune.” --Shak. Hence: (a) A husband or a wife. (b) Either one of a couple who dance together. (c) One who shares as a member of a partnership in the management, or in the gains and losses, of a business.
    My other self, the partner of my life.   --Milton.
 2. Law An associate in any business or occupation; a member of a partnership. See Partnership.
 3. pl. Naut. A framework of heavy timber surrounding an opening in a deck, to strengthen it for the support of a mast, pump, capstan, or the like.
 Dormant partner, or Silent partner. See under Dormant, a.
 Syn: -- Associate; colleague; coadjutor; confederate; partaker; participator; companion; comrade; mate.


 Si·lent a.
 1. Free from sound or noise; absolutely still; perfectly quiet.
    How silent is this town!   --Shak.
 2. Not speaking; indisposed to talk; speechless; mute; taciturn; not loquacious; not talkative.
    Ulysses, adds he, was the most eloquent and most silent of men.   --Broome.
 This new-created world, whereof in hell
 Fame is not silent.   --Milton.
 3. Keeping at rest; inactive; calm; undisturbed; as, the wind is silent.
 4. Pron. Not pronounced; having no sound; quiescent; as, e is silent in “fable.”
 5. Having no effect; not operating; inefficient. [R.]
    Cause . . . silent, virtueless, and dead.   --Sir W. Raleigh.
 Silent partner. See Dormant partner, under Dormant.
 Syn: -- Mute; taciturn; dumb; speechless; quiet; still. See Mute, and Taciturn.


 Dor·man·cy n.  The state of being dormant; quiescence; abeyance.
    It is by lying dormant a long time, or being . . . very rarely exercised, that arbitrary power steals upon a people.   --Burke.
 2. Her. In a sleeping posture; as, a lion dormant; -- distinguished from couchant.
 Dormant partner Com., a partner who takes no share in the active business of a company or partnership, but is entitled to a share of the profits, and subject to a share in losses; -- called also sleeping partner or silent partner.
 Dormant window Arch., a dormer window. See Dormer.
 Table dormant, a stationary table. [Obs.]

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 silent partner
      n : a partner (who usually provides capital) whose association
          with the enterprise is not public knowledge [syn: {sleeping
          partner]