PARTIE, PARTY, or PARTED, in heraldry, is applied to a shield or escutcheon, denoting it divided or marked out into partitions.

Parti per pale, is when the shield is divided perpendicularly into two halves, by a cut in the middle from top to bottom.

Parti per fess, is when the cut is across the middle, from side to side.

Parti per bend dexter, is when the cut comes from the upper corner of the shield on the right hand, and descends athwart to the opposite lower corner.

Parti per bend sinister, is when the cut, coming from the upper left corner, descends across to the opposite lower one.

All these partitions, according to M. de la Colombiere, have their origin from the cuts and bruises that have appeared on shields after engagements; and, being proofs of the dangers to which the bearers had been exposed, they gained them esteem: for which reason they were transmitted to posterity, and became arms and marks of honour to their future families.