■ noun
1》 a fixed amount of a commodity officially allowed to each person during a time of shortage, as in wartime.
2》 ( ~s ) an amount of food supplied on a regular basis to members of the armed forces during a war.
3》 ( ~s ) food; provisions.
■ verb
1》 limit the supply of (a commodity) to fixed ~s.
2》 limit the amount of a commodity available to (someone).
Origin
C18: from Fr., from L. ratio(n-) 'reckoning, ratio'.