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proportion

Etymology and origin of the English word proportion

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
before 1382
Borrowed from
Old French proporcion
Ultimate origin
Latin (proportio)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /pɹəˈpɔːʃən/ (UK); /pɹəˈpɔɹʃən/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is Middle English proporcioun, borrowed from Old French proporcion (“measure, proportion”) and directly Latin prōportiō (“comparative relation, analogy”),[2][3][4] from the phrase prō portiōne, according to the relation of parts,[3][2][5] from prō, for, and portiō, a share (see portion),[6][4] related to pars (“part, share”).[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The relation of parts, shape, form: before 1382, in the Wycliffe Bible;[2] due relation of one part to another, about 1380 in the OED.[7]

Semantic evolution

The comparative relation of things in size, degree or number is from before 1387, in Trevisa.[2][7] A part in relation to the whole, a share, is from about 1386.[7] Hoad notes that the word was not fully current before the 16th century.[6] An analogy or relation other than of quantity is from 1538.[7] Out of proportion is attested by the 1670s in Etymonline and 1710 in the OED.[3][7] The verb, to adjust the proportions of, is from the late 14th century.[3][4]

Timeline

  • c. 1380 – due relation of parts.[7]
  • before 1382 – shape, form.[2]
  • before 1387 – comparative relation.[2]
  • 1538 – analogy.[7]
  • 1670s – out of proportion.[3]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A part considered in relation to the whole.
  2. The relationship between things in size, number or degree; a ratio.
  3. The correct relation between parts; balance or symmetry.
  4. (proportions) Size or dimensions: a building of vast proportions.

Verb

  1. To adjust so that the parts are in proper relation.
  2. To give balance or symmetry to.

Word family

  • proportionable
  • proportionably
  • proportioner
  • proportionment
  • proportionless
  • disproportionate
  • proportional
  • proportionate

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  3. ^ a b c d e f Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  5. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ a b Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Proportion.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/proportion. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·