[por.tion] n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L portion-, portio; akin to L part-, pars part] (14c) 1: an individual's part or share of something: as a: a share received by gift or inheritance b: dowry c: a helping of food
2: an individual's lot, fate, or fortune: one's share of good and evil
3: an often limited part set off or abstracted from a whole "give but that ~ which yourself proposed --Shak." syn see part, fate
[2]portion vt por.tioned ; por.tion.ing (14c) 1: to divide into portions: distribute
2: to allot a dowry to: dower