Portion

Por"tion (?), n. [F., from L. portio, akin to pars, partis, a part. See Part, n.] 1. That which is divided off or separated, as a part from a whole; a separated part of anything.

2. A part considered by itself, though not actually cut off or separated from the whole.

These are parts of his ways; but how little a portion is heard of him!

Portions and parcels of the dreadful past.

3. A part assigned; allotment; share; fate.

The lord of that servant . . . will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Man's portion is to die and rise again.

4. The part of an estate given to a child or heir, or descending to him by law, and distributed to him in the settlement of the estate; an inheritance.

Give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.

5. A wife's fortune; a dowry. Shak.

Syn. -- Division; share; parcel; quantity; allotment; dividend. -- Portion, Part. Part is generic, having a simple reference to some whole. Portion has the additional idea of such a division as bears reference to an individual, or is allotted to some object; as, a portion of one's time; a portion of Scripture.

Por"tion, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Portioned (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Portioning.] 1. To separate or divide into portions or shares; to parcel; to distribute.

And portion to his tribes the wide domain.

2. To endow with a portion or inheritance.

Him portioned maids, apprenticed orphans, blest.