Por"tion (?), n. [F., from L. portio, akin to pars, partis, a part. See Part, n.]

1.

That which is divided off or separated, as a part from a whole; a separated part of anything.

2.

A part considered by itself, though not actually cut off or separated from the whole.

These are parts of his ways; but how little a portion is heard of him! Job xxvi. 14.

Portions and parcels of the dreadful past. Tennyson.

3.

A part assigned; allotment; share; fate.

The lord of that servant . . . will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. Luke xii. 46.

Man's portion is to die and rise again. Keble.

4.

The part of an estate given to a child or heir, or descending to him by law, and distributed to him in the settlement of the estate; an inheritance.

Give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. Luke xv. 12.

5.

A wife's fortune; a dowry.

Shak.

Syn. -- Division; share; parcel; quantity; allotment; dividend. -- Portion, Part. Part is generic, having a simple reference to some whole. Portion has the additional idea of such a division as bears reference to an individual, or is allotted to some object; as, a portion of one's time; a portion of Scripture.

 

© Webster 1913.


Por"tion, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Portioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Portioning.]

1.

To separate or divide into portions or shares; to parcel; to distribute.

And portion to his tribes the wide domain. Pope.

2.

To endow with a portion or inheritance.

Him portioned maids, apprenticed orphans, blest. Pope.

 

© Webster 1913.

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