compartitiont (kompartishon)

[ Their temples and amphitheaters needed no compart i tion . Sir H. Wotton , Elem. of Architect. 2. A division; the part divided; a separate part. Sir H. Wotton ; Sir T. Browne . compartment (kom-pärt'ment), n. [Formerly compartement, compart i ment , compart i ment = Sp . compart i men to , compart i mien to = Pg. It. compart i men to , compart i mentum , partire , divide, partition: see compart1 .] 1. A part separated from the adjoining parts by a partition or other mechanical means: as, the compartments of a steamship or of a European railway-carriage. There was a train just stopping, and she opened the door of one of the compartments and entered it. Mrs. Riddell . 2. In art , a panel; a cartouche; a coffer; any portion of a work or design separated from the rest by a frame or molding, by being raised or sunk, or in any other way, especially to receive an inscription or a decoration of any kind: as, the compartments of a coffered ceiling; the small sculptured compartments of the portals of the cathedral of Amiens. See cut under calendar . The square will make you ready for all manner of com partments , bases, pedestals, and buildings. Peacham , Compleat Gentleman. There are some mezzo-relievos as big as the life, the storie is of ye Heathen Gods, emblems, compartments , . Evelyn , Diary, Jan. 3, 1666. About twenty feet from the ground, there is a compart ment cut on the pillar which seems to have been intended for an inscription, but there is no sign of any letters. Pococke , Description of the East, II. 107. 3. Specifically, in her., any partition or division of the field. Compartment ceiling. See ceiling. _ Compartment tiles, in arch., tiles of different colors so arranged as to form compartments. - Water-tight compartment, a division of a ship's hull, or other subaqueous structure, so shut off from other parts that water admitted to these parts cannot enter it from them. See bulk head.