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por·tion

(pôrshən)

1. A section or quantity within a larger thing; a part of a whole.

2. A part separated from a whole.

3. A part that is allotted to a person or group, as:

a. A helping of food.

b. The part of an estate received by an heir.

c. A woman's dowry: marriage portion.

4. A person's lot or fate.

tr.v. por·tioned, por·tion·ing, por·tions

1. To divide into parts or shares for distribution; parcel.

2. To provide with a share, inheritance, or dowry.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin portiō, portiōn-; see perə-² in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

portion·a·ble adj.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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