n. & v.
n. 1 a part or share. 2 the amount of food allotted to one person. 3 a specified or limited quantity. 4 one's destiny or lot. 5 a dowry.
v.tr. 1 divide (a thing) into portions. 2 (foll. by out) distribute. 3 give a dowry to. 4 (foll. by to) assign (a thing) to (a person). portionless adj. (in sense 5 of n.).
[ ME f. OF porcion portion f. L portio -onis ]