noun

1. a part or limited quantity of anything, esp. that allotted to a person; share
2. the part of an estate received by an heir
3. the part of a man's money or property contributed by his bride; dowry
4. the part of experience supposedly allotted to a person by fate; one's lot; destiny
5. the part of a meal or quantity of food served to a person; serving; helping

Etymology: OFr < L portio (gen. portionis), portion < *partio < pars, part

transitive verb

1. to divide into portions
2. to give as a portion to; apportion
3. to give a portion to; endow; dower

Etymology: OFr portionner, to divide, separate