English

Noun

house party ‎(plural house parties)

1. (now rare) The guests staying at a given house, as opposed to those visiting for the day. [from 19th c.]
   • 1890, Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, ch. XVII:

     The house-party consisted of twelve people, and there were more expected to arrive on the next day.

   • 1945, Nancy Mitford, The Pursuit of Love, Penguin 2010, p. 39:

     The difference between Aunt Sadie and Uncle Matthew was not as to whether Lord Merlin should or should not be asked to the ball […], but whether he should be asked to bring a house party.

2. A social gathering at someone's house, generally with music, drinking etc. [from 20th c.]

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