Proportion

Proportion
Proportion Pro*por"tion, 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]

Note: 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]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Proportion — Proportion …   Deutsch Wörterbuch

  • PROPORTION — Le terme proportion désigne un concept mathématique qui appartient à l’héritage grec et dont l’application s’étend à tous les savoirs quantifiables. «Cette partie, écrivait justement le père J. Prestet dans ses Élémens de mathématiques (1675),… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • proportion — PROPORTION. s. f. Convenance & rapport des parties entre elles & avec leur tout. Juste proportion. il faut qu il y ait une certaine proportion de tous les membres avec la teste. les differentes proportions des ordres d architecture. les… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • proportion — UK US /prəˈpɔːʃən/ noun ► [C] the number or amount of part of something when compared to the whole: boost/increase the proportion of sth »He pledged to boost the group s proportion of home sales from 5% to 10%. as a proportion of sth »Last year,… …   Financial and business terms

  • Proportion — bezeichnet: Verhältnisgleichung in der Mathematik, siehe Quotient #Proportionen das Verhältnis der Größen der Körperteile, siehe Körperbau ein Charakteristikum der Intervalle oder auch der Taktarten in der Musik proportionale Schriftart, einen… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Proportion — (v. lat.), 1) Verhältniß; 2) Verhältnißmäßigkeit, Ebenmaß; 3) Proportion des menschlichen Körpers, die Normalgrößen, welche einzelne Theile in Bezug zu den übrigen haben, worauf bes. die Gefälligkeit der äußeren Bildung beruht. Außer den Gesetzen …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Proportion — Pro*por tion, 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Proportion [1] — Proportion, eine Gleichung, bei der auf beiden Seiten ein Verhältnis steht, z.B. a : b = c : d. Hieraus folgt a d = b c und durch Auflösung a = b c/d. a und d heißen äußere, b und c innere Glieder der Proportion. Man darf die inneren, ebenso auch …   Lexikon der gesamten Technik

  • proportion — ► NOUN 1) a part, share, or number considered in relation to a whole. 2) the ratio of one thing to another. 3) the correct or pleasing relation of things or between the parts of a whole. 4) (proportions) dimensions; size. ► VERB formal ▪ adjust… …   English terms dictionary

  • Proportion — Sf Verhältnis erw. fach. (15. Jh.) Entlehnung. Entlehnt aus l. proportio, zusammengebildet aus l. prō portione je nach Anteil . Adjektiv: proportional. Moderne Kürzung (schwz., österr.) Proporz.    Ebenso nndl. proportie, ne. proportion, nfrz.… …   Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen sprache

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