Definition of portion

The word "portion" has its roots in Old French, where it was spelled "porcion" and meant "a part" or "a share." This French term was derived from the Latin word "portio," which also meant "a share" or "a part." In Latin, "portio" was used to describe a portion of land, a share of goods, or a part of something. The Latin word is thought to have been derived from the verb "portare," meaning "to carry" or "to bear," and may have originally referred to something that was borne or carried as a part or share of something else. The English word "portion" has been in use since the 13th century and has retained its original meaning, referring to a part or share of something, whether it be food, land, or even a person's time or attention.