proportion

Proportion is defined as a numerical relationship that compares things or people.

(noun)

An example of proportion is the number of girls in a class compared to the number of boys.

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See proportion in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. the comparative relation between parts, things, or elements with respect to size, amount, degree, etc.; ratio
  2. a part, share, or portion, esp. in its relation to the whole; quota
  3. relationship between parts or things; esp., harmonious, proper, or desirable relationship; balance or symmetry
  4. size, degree, or extent relative to a standard
  5. dimensions: a building of large proportions
  6. Math.
    1. an equality between ratios; relationship between four quantities in which the quotient of the first divided by the second is equal to that of the third divided by the fourth (Ex.: 6 is to 2 as 9 is to 3)
    2. rule of three

Origin: ME proporcioun < MFr proporcion < L proportio < pro, for + portio, part: see portion

transitive verb

  1. to cause to be in proper relation, harmony, or balance: to proportion the punishment to the crime
  2. to arrange the parts of (a whole) so as to be harmonious or properly balanced

Related Forms:

See proportion in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A part considered in relation to the whole.
  2. A relationship between things or parts of things with respect to comparative magnitude, quantity, or degree: the proper proportion between oil and vinegar in the dressing.
  3. A relationship between quantities such that if one varies then another varies in a manner dependent on the first: “We do not always find visible happiness in proportion to visible virtue” (Samuel Johnson).
  4. Agreeable or harmonious relation of parts within a whole; balance or symmetry.
  5. Dimensions; size. Often used in the plural.
  6. Mathematics A statement of equality between two ratios. Four quantities, a, b, c, d, are said to be in proportion if a/b = c/d .
transitive verb pro·por·tioned, pro·por·tion·ing, pro·por·tions
  1. To adjust so that proper relations between parts are attained.
  2. To form the parts of with balance or symmetry.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English proporcion

Origin: , from Old French proportion

Origin: , from Latin prōportiō, prōportiōn-

Origin: , from prō portiōne, according to (each) part

Origin: : prō, according to; see pro-1

Origin: + portiōne

Origin: , ablative of portiō, part; see perə-2 in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • pro·porˈtion·a·ble adjective
  • pro·porˈtion·a·bly adverb
  • pro·porˈtion·er noun
  • pro·porˈtion·ment noun

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