(~s)
1.
A ~ of something is a part of it.
Damage was confined to a small ~ of the castle...
I have spent a fairly considerable ~ of my life here...
I had learnt a ~ of the Koran...
= part
N-COUNT: N of n
2.
A ~ is the amount of food that is given to one person at a meal.
Desserts can be substituted by a ~ of fresh fruit...
The ~s were generous.
N-COUNT