n. [ OF., fr. porter to bear. ] One who, or that which, bears; hence, one who, or that which, produces. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Branches . . . which were portoirs, and bare grapes. Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A part considered by itself, though not actually cut off or separated from the whole. [ 1913 Webster ]

These are parts of his ways; but how little a portion is heard of him! Job xxvi. 14. [ 1913 Webster ]

Portions and parcels of the dreadful past. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A part assigned; allotment; share; fate. [ 1913 Webster ]

The lord of that servant . . . will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. Luke xii. 46. [ 1913 Webster ]

Man's portion is to die and rise again. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. Luke xv. 12. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A wife's fortune; a dowry. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Division; share; parcel; quantity; allotment; dividend. -- 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Portioned p. pr. & vb. n. Portioning. ] 1. To separate or divide into portions or shares; to parcel; to distribute. [ 1913 Webster ]

And portion to his tribes the wide domain. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To endow with a portion or inheritance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Him portioned maids, apprenticed orphans, blest. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who portions. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Eccl.) See Portionist, 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A scholar at Merton College, Oxford, who has a certain academical allowance or portion; -- corrupted into postmaster. Shipley. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Eccl.) One of the incumbents of a benefice which has two or more rectors or vicars. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having no portion. [ 1913 Webster ]