portion
nounverbcommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈpɔːʃən//
- United States//ˈpoɹʃən//
- Australia//ˈpoːʃən//
- //ˈpoəɹʃən//
- //ˈpoːɹʃən//
An allocated amount.
noun
- 1
An allocated amount.
- 2
That which is divided off or separated, as a part from a whole; a separated part of anything.
- 3
One's fate; lot.
The Lord of that ſeruant […] will appoint him his portion with the vnbeleeuers.
Man's portion is to die and rise again.
"Everywhere the same!" exclaimed Francesca, as she resumed her seat—"the same human misery—the same human portion!...
- 4
The part of an estate given or falling to a child or heir; an inheritance.
Father, giue me the portion of goods that falleth to me.
O! yearning heart! I did inherit Thy withering portion with the fame, The searing glory which hath shone Amid the jewels of my throne, Halo of Hell!
- 5
A wife's fortune; a dowry.
Commend me to her, and to piece her portion / Tender her this.
I took part of a small house in the Old Jewry; and being advised to alter my condition, I married Mrs. Mary Burton, second daughter to Mr. Edmund Burton, hosier, in Newgate-street, with whom I received four hundred pounds for a portion.
Etymology
Etymology tree Latin portiōder. Old French porcionbor. Middle English porcioun English portion From Middle English porcioun, borrowed from Old French porcion, accusative of Latin portiōnem (“a share, part, portion, relation, proportion”), from portiō, akin to pars (“part”); see part. Compare proportion.
verb
- 1
To divide into amounts, as for allocation to specific purposes.
- 2
To endow with a portion or inheritance.
Him portioned maids, apprenticed orphans, blest.
Forms
- plural
- portions
- past tense
- portioned
- past participle
- portioned
- present participle
- portioning
- third person singular
- portions