comparative relation between things or magnitudes as to size, quantity, number, etc.; ratio.
2.
proper relation between things or parts: to have tastes way out of proportion to one's financial means.
3.
relative size or extent.
4.
proportions, dimensions or size: a rock of gigantic proportions.
5.
a portion or part in its relation to the whole: A large proportion of the debt remains.
6.
symmetry, harmony, or balance: an architect with a sense of proportion.
7.
the significance of a thing or event that an objective view reveals: You must try to see these mishaps in proportion.
8.
Mathematics. a relation of four quantities such that the first divided by the second is equal to the third divided by the fourth; the equality of ratios. Compare rule of three.
9.
Archaic. analogy; comparison.
–verb (used with object)
10.
to adjust in proper proportion or relation, as to size, quantity, etc.
11.
to balance or harmonize the proportions of.
Origin: 1350–1400; ME proporcio(u)n < L prōportiōn- (s. of prōportiō) symmetry, analogy. See pro-1, portion
Related forms:
pro⋅por⋅tion⋅er, noun
pro⋅por⋅tion⋅less, adjective
Synonyms: 1.comparison. 5.share. 6.distribution, arrangement. See symmetry.10.regulate, arrange, balance, harmonize.
A relationship between things or parts of things with respect to comparative magnitude, quantity, or degree: the proper proportion between oil and vinegar in the dressing.
A relationship between quantities such that if one varies then another varies in a manner dependent on the first: "We do not always find visible happiness in proportion to visible virtue"(Samuel Johnson).
Agreeable or harmonious relation of parts within a whole; balance or symmetry.
Dimensions; size. Often used in the plural.
Mathematics A statement of equality between two ratios. Four quantities, a, b, c, d, are said to be in proportion if a/b = c/d .
To adjust so that proper relations between parts are attained.
To form the parts of with balance or symmetry.
[Middle English proporcion, from Old French proportion, from Latin prōportiō, prōportiōn-, from prō portiōne, according to (each) part : prō, according to; see pro-1 + portiōne, ablative of portiō, part; see perə-2 in Indo-European roots.] pro·por'tion·a·ble adj., pro·por'tion·a·bly adv., pro·por'tion·er n., pro·por'tion·ment n.
Synonyms: These nouns mean aesthetic arrangement marked by proper distribution of elements. Proportion is the agreeable relation of parts within a whole: a house with rooms of gracious proportion. Harmony is the pleasing interaction or appropriate combination of elements: the harmony of your facial features. Symmetry and balance both imply an arrangement of parts on either side of a dividing line, but symmetry frequently emphasizes mirror-image correspondence of parts, while balance often suggests dissimilar parts that offset each other harmoniously: flowers planted in perfect symmetry around the pool."In all perfectly beautiful objects, there is found the opposition of one part to another, and a reciprocal balance" (John Ruskin).
proportion (prə-pôr'shən) Pronunciation Key
A statement of equality between two ratios. Four quantities, a, b, c, and d, are said to be in proportion if a/b = c/d .
[pruh-pawr-shuh
n, -pohr-] 