ˈparty-ˌwall
[f. party a. + wall.]
A wall between two buildings or pieces of land intended for distinct occupation, in the use of which each of the occupiers has a partial right.
The primary and most common meaning in law is ‘a wall of which the two adjoining owners are tenants in common’; but three other cases are included under the term in Elphinstone, etc. Interpr. Deeds (1885) Gloss. The structure of party-walls between houses, and the rights and duties of their owners have been the subject of much legislation.
| 1667 S. Primatt City & C. Build. 93 The Builder is to receive of his next Neighbor, if they have the benefit of all his Party-walls and Peer-stones, sixty five pounds and ten⁓pence. 1677–1703 Moxon Mech. Exerc. 145 No Light can be placed in the Stair-Case, because of the Party-walls. 1853 Wharton Pennsylv. Digest II. 405 The moiety of the cost of a party wall is a personal charge against the builder of the second house and lien upon the house itself. 1855 Act 18 & 19 Vict. c. 122 §3 ‘Party wall’ shall apply to every wall used or built in order to be used as a separation of any building from any other building, with a view to the same being occupied by different persons. |
| fig. 1870 J. H. Newman Gramm. Assent i. v. 95 Not as if there were in fact, or could be, any line of demarcation or party-wall between these modes of assent. |
Hence
ˈparty-ˌwalled (
-wɔːld)
a., having a party-wall.
| 1703 Moxon Mech. Exerc. 145 Our Party-walled Houses in London. |