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).
Derivatives:
portionless adj. (in sense 5 of n.).
Etymology: ME f. OF porcion portion f. L portio -onis