I. ˈpōrshən, -ȯr-, -ōə-, -ȯ(ə)- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from Latin portion-, portio; akin to Latin part-, pars part
1. : an individual's part or share of something: as
a. : a share of an estate received by gift or inheritance
Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me — Lk 15: 12 (Authorized Version)
b. : dower 2a
c. : enough food to serve one person at one meal or enough of one kind for a helping
individual portions of meat were precisely weighed out in the restaurant kitchen
2. : the share of an individual or group in human fortune or destiny : lot , fate
the preacher had told him hell would be his portion — J.L.Lowes
3.
a. : a part of a whole
portions of this park are particularly well-adapted for picnic and camping purposes — American Guide Series: Maryland
b. : a limited amount or quantity
the major portion of our fears would be at an end — J.C.Fitzmaurice
4. : the weekly selection of the Pentateuch read in a synagogue — compare parashah
Synonyms: see fate , part
II. transitive verb
( portioned ; portioned ; portioning -sh(ə)niŋ ; portions )
Etymology: Middle English portionen, from Middle French portiouner, from Old French portion share, portion
1. : to divide into portions : distribute in shares
2. : to allot or give to as a portion : dower , endow
Synonyms: see apportion