[al.low.ance] n (14c) 1 a: a share or portion allotted or granted b: a sum granted as a reimbursement or bounty or for expenses "salary includes cost-of-living ~"; esp: a sum regularly provided for personal or household expenses "each child has an ~" c: a fixed or available amount "provide an ~ of time for recreation" d: a reduction from a list price or stated price "a trade-in ~"
2: an imposed handicap (as in a horse race)
3: an allowed dimensional difference between mating parts of a machine
4: the act of allowing: permission
5: a taking into account of mitigating circumstances or contingencies
[2]allowance vt -anced ; -anc.ing (ca. 1828) 1 archaic: to put on a fixed allowance (as of food and drink)
2. archaic: to supply in a fixed or regular quantity