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! --Job xxvi.
14.
Portions and parcels of the dreadful past.
--Tennyson.
3. A part assigned; allotment; share; fate.
The lord of that servant . . . will appoint him his
portion with the unbelievers. --Luke xii.
46.
Man's portion is to die and rise again. --Keble.
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.
--Luke xv. 12.
5. A wife's fortune; a dowry. --Shak.
Syn: Division; share; parcel; quantity; allotment; dividend.
Usage: 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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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