Main Entry: ¹pro·por·tion

Pronunciation: \prə-ˈpȯr-shən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English proporcion, from Anglo-French, from Latin proportion-, proportio, from pro for + portion-, portio portion — more at for

Date: 14th century

1 : harmonious relation of parts to each other or to the whole : balance, symmetry
2 a : proper or equal share <each did her proportion of the work> b : quota, percentage
3 : the relation of one part to another or to the whole with respect to magnitude, quantity, or degree : ratio
4 : size, dimension
5 : a statement of equality between two ratios in which the first of the four terms divided by the second equals the third divided by the fourth (as in 4/2=10/5) — compare extreme 1b, mean 1c

— in proportion : proportional 1