I. prə-ˈpȯr-shən noun
Etymology: Middle English proporcion, from Anglo-French, from Latin proportion-, proportio, from pro for + portion-, portio portion — more at for
Date: 14th century
1. : harmonious relation of parts to each other or to the whole : balance , symmetry
2.
a. : proper or equal share
each did her proportion of the work
b. : quota , percentage
3. : the relation of one part to another or to the whole with respect to magnitude, quantity, or degree : ratio
4. : size , dimension
5. : a statement of equality between two ratios in which the first of the four terms divided by the second equals the third divided by the fourth (as in 4/2=10/5) — compare extreme 1b, mean 1c
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- in proportion
II. transitive verb
( pro·por·tioned ; pro·por·tion·ing -sh(ə-)niŋ)
Date: 14th century
1. : to adjust (a part or thing) in size relative to other parts or things
2. : to make the parts of harmonious or symmetrical
3. : apportion , allot