portion — English Dictionary

Noun

1. An allocated amount.

2. That which is divided off or separated, as a part from a whole; a separated part of anything.

   Synonyms

   partpiece

3. One's fate; lot.

   Synonyms

   doomfortune

   Examples

   The Lord of that ſeruant […] will appoint him his portion with the vnbeleeuers.

   Man's portion is to die and rise again.

   More examples (1)

   "Everywhere the same!" exclaimed Francesca, as she resumed her seat—"the same human misery—the same human portion!...

4. The part of an estate given or falling to a child or heir; an inheritance.

   Examples

   Father, giue me the portion of goods that falleth to me.

   O! yearning heart! I did inherit Thy withering portion with the fame, The searing glory which hath shone Amid the jewels of my throne, Halo of Hell!

5. A wife's fortune; a dowry.

   Examples

   Commend me to her, and to piece her portion / Tender her this.

   More examples (1)

   I took part of a small house in the Old Jewry; and being advised to alter my condition, I married Mrs. Mary Burton, second daughter to Mr. Edmund Burton, hosier, in Newgate-street, with whom I received four hundred pounds for a portion.

Verb

1. To divide into amounts, as for allocation to specific purposes.

   Usage

   • Transitive

2. To endow with a portion or inheritance.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   Him portioned maids, apprenticed orphans, blest.

Noun

1. something determined in relation to something that includes it

   Synonyms

   partcomponent partcomponentconstituent

   Broader terms

   relation

   Examples

   he wanted to feel a part of something bigger than himself

   I read a portion of the manuscript

   More examples (2)

   the smaller component is hard to reach

   the animal constituent of plankton

2. something less than the whole of a human artifact

   Synonyms

   part

   Broader terms

   objectphysical object

   Examples

   the rear part of the house

   glue the two parts together

3. the allotment of some amount by dividing something

   Synonyms

   parcelshare

   Broader terms

   allotmentapportionmentapportioningallocationparcelingparcellingassignation

   Examples

   death gets more than its share of attention from theologians

4. assets belonging to or due to or contributed by an individual person or group

   Synonyms

   sharepartpercentage

   Broader terms

   assets

   Examples

   he wanted his share in cash

5. your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)

   Synonyms

   fortunedestinyfatelucklotcircumstances

   Broader terms

   condition

   Examples

   whatever my fortune may be

   deserved a better fate

   More examples (4)

   has a happy lot

   the luck of the Irish

   a victim of circumstances

   success that was her portion

6. money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage

   Synonyms

   dowrydowerydower

   Broader terms

   gift

7. an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal

   Synonyms

   helpingserving

   Broader terms

   small indefinite quantitysmall indefinite amount

   Examples

   the helpings were all small

   his portion was larger than hers

   More examples (1)

   there's enough for two servings each

Verb

1. give out

   Synonyms

   assignallot

   Broader terms

   distributeadministermete outdealparcel outlotdispenseshell outdeal outdish outallotdole out

   Examples

   We were assigned new uniforms