proportion English · revision 7728

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1382|origins=la proportio}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /pɹəˈpɔːʃən/ ''(UK)''; /pɹəˈpɔɹʃən/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English proporcioun, [[bor|fro|proporcion|t=measure, proportion]] and directly Latin [[m|la|proportio|alt=prōportiō|t=comparative relation, analogy]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from the phrase prō portiōne, according to the relation of parts,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998) from prō, for, and portiō, a share (see [[portion]]),^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) related to [[m|la|pars|t=part, share]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The relation of parts, shape, form: before 1382, in the Wycliffe Bible;^(Barnhart 1988) due relation of one part to another, about 1380 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The comparative relation of things in size, degree or number is from before 1387, in Trevisa.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) A part in relation to the whole, a share, is from about 1386.^(OED 1989) Hoad notes that the word was not fully current before the 16th century.^(Hoad 1986) An analogy or relation other than of quantity is from 1538.^(OED 1989) ''Out of proportion'' is attested by the 1670s in Etymonline and 1710 in the OED.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) The verb, to adjust the proportions of, is from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1380 – due relation of parts.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1382 – shape, form.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1387 – comparative relation.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1538 – analogy.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1670s – out of proportion.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A part considered in relation to the whole.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The relationship between things in size, number or degree; a [[ratio]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The correct relation between parts; [[balance]] or [[symmetry]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(proportions)'' Size or dimensions: ''a building of vast proportions''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To adjust so that the parts are in proper relation.^(AHD)

+ # To give balance or symmetry to.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[proportionable]]

+ * [[proportionably]]

+ * [[proportioner]]

+ * [[proportionment]]

+ * [[proportionless]]

+ * [[disproportionate]]

+ * [[proportional]]

+ * [[proportionate]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[portion]]

+ * [[part]]

+ * [[apportion]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}