late 14c., "due relation of one part to another," also "size, extent; compartative relation in size, degree, number, etc.," from Old French proporcion "measure, proportion" (13c.), from Latin proportionem (nominative proportio) "comparative relation, analogy," from phrase pro portione "according to the relation" (of parts to each other), from pro "for" (see pro-) + ablative of *partio "division," related to pars (see part (n.)). Phrase out of proportion attested by 1670s.
My fortunes [are] as ill proportioned as your legs. [John Marston, "Antonio and Mellida," 1602]
proportion (v.)
"to adjust or regulate the proportions of," late 14c., from proportion (n.) and in part from Middle French proporcioner and directly from Medieval Latin proportionare. Related: Proportioned; proportioning.
双语例句
1. We must keep a sense of proportion about all this.
我们对所有的这些都要有轻重缓急之分。
来自柯林斯例句
2. A substantial proportion of the population speak a French-based patois.
人口中有一大部分说以法语为基础的混合语。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The proportion of women in the profession had risen to 17.3%.
从事该职业的女性比例已升高到17.3%。
来自柯林斯例句
4. A high proportion of the new arrivals are skilled professionals.
新来的人中很大一部分是技术熟练的专业人士。
来自柯林斯例句
5. The radio station has to include a substantial proportion of classical music.