proportion

n. [ F., fr. L. proportio; pro before + portio part or share. See Portion. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The relation or adaptation of one portion to another, or to the whole, as respect magnitude, quantity, or degree; comparative relation; ratio; as, the proportion of the parts of a building, or of the body. [ 1913 Webster ]

The image of Christ, made after his own proportion. Ridley. [ 1913 Webster ]

Formed in the best proportions of her sex. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

Documents are authentic and facts are true precisely in proportion to the support which they afford to his theory. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Harmonic relation between parts, or between different things of the same kind; symmetrical arrangement or adjustment; symmetry; as, to be out of proportion. “Let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith.” Rom. xii. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The portion one receives when a whole is distributed by a rule or principle; equal or proper share; lot. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let the women . . . do the same things in their proportions and capacities. Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A part considered comparatively; a share. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Math.) (a) The equality or similarity of ratios, especially of geometrical ratios; or a relation among quantities such that the quotient of the first divided by the second is equal to that of the third divided by the fourth; -- called also geometrical proportion, in distinction from arithmetical proportion, or that in which the difference of the first and second is equal to the difference of the third and fourth. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Proportion in the mathematical sense differs from ratio. Ratio is the relation of two quantities of the same kind, as the ratio of 5 to 10, or the ratio of 8 to 16. Proportion is the sameness or likeness of two such relations. Thus, 5 to 10 as 8 to 16; that is, 5 bears the same relation to 10 as 8 does to 16. Hence, such numbers are said to be in proportion. Proportion is expressed by symbols thus: [ 1913 Webster ] a:b::c:d, or a:b = c:d, or a/b = c/d. [ 1913 Webster ]

(b) The rule of three, in arithmetic, in which the three given terms, together with the one sought, are proportional. [ 1913 Webster ]

Continued proportion,
Inverse proportion, etc. See under Continued, Inverse, etc. --
Harmonical proportion or
Musical proportion, a relation of three or four quantities, such that the first is to the last as the difference between the first two is to the difference between the last two; thus, 2, 3, 6, are in harmonical proportion; for 2 is to 6 as 1 to 3. Thus, 24, 16, 12, 9, are harmonical, for 24:9::8:3. --
In proportion, according as; to the degree that. “In proportion as they are metaphysically true, they are morally and politically false.” Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Proportioned p. pr. & vb. n. Proportioning. ] [ Cf. F. proportionner. Cf. Proportionate, v. ] 1. To adjust in a suitable proportion, as one thing or one part to another; as, to proportion the size of a building to its height; to proportion our expenditures to our income. [ 1913 Webster ]

In the loss of an object we do not proportion our grief to the real value . . . but to the value our fancies set upon it. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To form with symmetry or suitableness, as the parts of the body. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nature had proportioned her without any fault. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To divide into equal or just shares; to apportion. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Capable of being proportioned, or made proportional; also, proportional; proportionate. -- Pro*por"tion*a*ble*ness, n. [1913 Webster]

But eloquence may exist without a proportionable degree of wisdom. Burke. [1913 Webster]

Proportionable, which is no longer much favored, was of our [i. e., English writers'] own coining. Fitzed. Hall. [1913 Webster]

adv. Proportionally. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. (Math.) Any number or quantity in a proportion; as, a mean proportional. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Chem.) The combining weight or equivalent of an element. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. proportionalis: cf. F. proportionnel. ] 1. Having a due proportion, or comparative relation; being in suitable proportion or degree; as, the parts of an edifice are proportional. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Relating to, or securing, proportion. Hutton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Math.) Constituting a proportion; having the same, or a constant, ratio; as, proportional quantities; momentum is proportional to quantity of matter. [ 1913 Webster ]

Proportional logarithms, logistic logarithms. See under Logistic. --
Proportional scale, a scale on which are marked parts proportional to the logarithms of the natural numbers; a logarithmic scale. --
Proportional
scales, compasses, dividers, etc. (Draughting), instruments used in making copies of drawings, or drawings of objects, on an enlarged or reduced scale. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. proportionnalité. ] The state of being in proportion. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In proportion; in due degree; adapted relatively; as, all parts of the building are proportionally large. Sir I. Newton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Proportionated p. pr. & vb. n. Proportionating. ] [ Cf. Proportion, v. ] To make proportional; to adjust according to a settled rate, or to due comparative relation; to proportion; as, to proportionate punishment to crimes. [ 1913 Webster ]