# proportion

## Definitions

• Proportion of sails to steam in shipping
• WordNet 3.6
• v proportion adjust in size relative to other things
• v proportion give pleasant proportions to "harmonize a building with those surrounding it"
• n proportion harmonious arrangement or relation of parts or elements within a whole (as in a design) "in all perfectly beautiful objects there is found the opposition of one part to another and a reciprocal balance"- John Ruskin"
• n proportion magnitude or extent "a building of vast proportions"
• n proportion the relation between things (or parts of things) with respect to their comparative quantity, magnitude, or degree "an inordinate proportion of the book is given over to quotations","a dry martini has a large proportion of gin"
• n proportion the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole
• n proportion balance among the parts of something
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
• Interesting fact: In proportion, if Jupiter were a basketball, then the sun would be the size of the Louisiana Super Dome
• Proportion A part considered comparatively; a share.
• Proportion 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."
• proportion See under Progression Proportion and Ratio.
• Proportion (Math) 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.
• Proportion The portion one receives when a whole is distributed by a rule or principle; equal or proper share; lot. "Let the women . . . do the same things in their proportions and capacities."
• Proportion 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. "The image of Christ, made after his own proportion .""Formed in the best proportions of her sex.""Documents are authentic and facts are true precisely in proportion to the support which they afford to his theory."
• Proportion (Math) The rule of three, in arithmetic, in which the three given terms, together with the one sought, are proportional.
• Proportion To adjust in a suitable proportion, as one thing or one part to another; as, to proportion the size of a building to its height; to proportion our expenditures to our income. "In the loss of an object we do not proportion our grief to the real value . . . but to the value our fancies set upon it."
• Proportion To divide into equal or just shares; to apportion.
• Proportion To form with symmetry or suitableness, as the parts of the body. "Nature had proportioned her without any fault."
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Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
• Interesting fact: The animal with the largest brain in proportion to its size is the ant.
• n proportion The relation of one thing to another in respect to size, quantity, magnitude of corresponding parts, capacity, or degree.
• n proportion Specifically, the relation of one part to another or to the whole with respect to magnitude; the relative size and arrangement of parts: as, the proportion of the parts of an edifice, or of the human body. Commonly in the plural.
• n proportion Symmetrical arrangement, distribution, or adjustment; the proper relation of parts in a whole; symmetry or harmony.
• n proportion That which falls to one's lot when a whole is divided according to a rule or principle; just or proper share; in general, portion; lot.
• n proportion Form; shape; figure.
• n proportion In mathematics, the equality of ratios or relations; analogy. Complicated and difficult definitions of this word were given by Euclid and the old mathematicians, because they were unwilling to regard a ratio as a quantity capable of equality; but it is now recognized that such generalizations are at once the most profound and the most intelligible way throughout mathematics.
• n proportion In music: The ratio between the vibration-numbers of two tones.
• n proportion Same as rhythm or meter.
• n proportion In arithmetic, the rule of three; that rule which, according to the theory of proportion, enables us to find a fourth proportional to three given numbers — that is, a number to which the third bears the same ratio as the first does to the second.
• n proportion See mixed.
• n proportion Synonyms See symmetry.
• proportion To adjust in suitable relations; adapt harmoniously to something else as regards dimensions or extent: as, to proportion the size of a building to its height, or the thickness of a thing to its length; to proportion expenditure to income.
• proportion To form with symmetry; give a symmetrical form to.
• proportion To bear proportion or adequate relation to; correspond to.
• proportion To divide into portions; allot; apportion.
• proportion To compare; estimate the relative proportions of.
• proportion In type-manuf., to adjust (a font of type) so that it shall contain the proper number of each letter, point, etc.
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Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
• Interesting fact: Sterling silver is not pure silver. Because pure silver is too soft to be used in most tableware it is mixed with copper in the proportion of 92.5 percent silver to 7.5 percent copper.
• n Proportion prō-pōr′shun the relation of one thing to another in regard to magnitude: fitness of parts to each other: symmetrical arrangement: :
• v.t Proportion to adjust: to form symmetrically: to correspond to: to divide into proper shares
• n Proportion (math.) a number or quantity in a proportion
• v.t Proportion to make proportional: to adjust in proportion
• n Proportion prō-pōr′shun (math.) the identity or equality of ratios: the 'rule of three,' in which three terms are given to find a fourth: equal or just share
• n Proportion prō-pōr′shun (obs.) form, figure
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## Quotations

• H. L. Mencken
“Men become civilized, not in proportion to their willingness to believe, but in proportion to their readiness to doubt.”
• George Bernard Shaw
“Men are wise in proportion, not to their experience, but to their capacity for experience.”
• Coco Chanel
“Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions.”
• Titus Livy
“We fear things in proportion to our ignorance of them.”
• George Mcdonald
“In Giving, a man receives more than he gives; and the more is in proportion to the worth of the thing given.”
• Marcel Proust
“The regularity of a habit is generally in proportion to its absurdity.”

## Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
F., fr. L. proportio,; pro, before + portio, part or share. See Portion
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
L. proportiopro, in comparison with, portio, portionis, part, share.

## Usage

### In literature:

That the proportion in which these three ingredients are present is not the best proportion for the requirements of crops.
"Manures and the principles of manuring" by Charles Morton Aikman
Within less than a mile from the main works extensive mills were erected and the business soon grew to great proportions.
"The Johnstown Horror" by James Herbert Walker
Bodily pain forms a large proportion of the amount of human misery.
"Popular Education" by Ira Mayhew
In mine own land the proportion is exactly reversed!
The number of its inhabitants was in proportion to these vast dimensions.
"Museum of Antiquity" by L. W. Yaggy
Not only must the food be in right proportions but in such condition as to be readily available.
"Tomato Culture: A Practical Treatise on the Tomato" by William Warner Tracy
This is the principle upon which the Pantheon of Agrippa is lighted; the only difference being one of proportion.
"A History of Art in Chaldæa & Assyria, v. 1" by Georges Perrot
Are the Details treated in Proper Proportion?
"English: Composition and Literature" by W. F. (William Franklin) Webster
The amounts are not now the same, but the proportions have not varied materially.
"Cotton is King and The Pro-Slavery Arguments" by Various
The scenery, in the vicinity of this place, began to improve, but the roads were proportionally deteriorated.
"Travels in North America, From Modern Writers" by William Bingley
Before the war no great proportion went to the Central Powers.
"All About Coffee" by William H. Ukers
There was indeed a proportion of honest and industrious persons among them.
"A Plea for the Criminal" by James Leslie Allan Kayll
What is the Proportion of Salt, that is in the Water of differing Seas; And whether in the same Sea it be always the same?
"Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society - Vol 1 - 1666" by Various
A ham of twenty pounds will take four hours and a half in boiling, and others in proportion.
"The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches," by Mary Eaton
These proportions will cure a ham of sixteen pounds.
"The Lady's Own Cookery Book, and New Dinner-Table Directory;" by Charlotte Campbell Bury
And other things in the same proportion.
"A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital" by John Beauchamp Jones
Trade with the savages had assumed considerable proportions even before the days of Champlain.
"Glimpses of the Past" by W. O. Raymond
The more she exacted, the more he submitted; and her demands grew in proportion to his sacrifices.
"Coelebs In Search of a Wife" by Hannah More
The ogival windows of the side walls are strong and of ample proportions.
"The Cathedrals and Churches of the Rhine" by Francis Miltoun
I have reference to the preservation of proportion.
"The Technique of Fiction Writing" by Robert Saunders Dowst
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### In poetry:

Weighing each sin and wickedness
With so much equity,
Proportioning of thy distress
And woful misery.
"Of Judgement" by John Bunyan
Let heav'n succeed our painful years,
Let sin and sorrow cease,
And in proportion to our tears
So make our joys increase.
"Psalm 90 part 3" by Isaac Watts
O sweet proportion! How shall I
Describe her going's grace?
Slow was it, stately, gliding? Nay,
'Twas hers and beauty's pace.
"Immortal Eve - III" by Manmohan Ghose
THINK of the Soul;
I swear to you that body of yours gives proportions to your Soul
somehow to live in other spheres;
I do not know how, but I know it is so.
"Think Of The Soul" by Walt Whitman
So unto Venus' Oracle in turn
I leaned the Secret of my Love to learn.
The Answering Riddle came: "She loves you, yes,
In just Proportion to the Sum you Earn."
"The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám Jr." by Wallace Irwin
Man is all symmetrie,
Full of proportions, one limbe to another,
And all to all the world besides:
Each part may call the farthest, brother:
For head with foot hath private amitie,
And both with moons and tides.
"Man" by George Herbert

### In news:

Here is a story that has been told during nights of bad card playing and other occasions that call for a yarn of epic proportions.
'Wrath of the Titans': A mess of mythic proportions 1 star.
HONDA A conservative redesign preserves traditional proportions and contributes to visibility.
While granting its historic proportions, one has to be skeptical of its chances for immediate success.
Thumbnails will resize to proper proportion when clicked.
It's a record-release party of epic proportions this Sunday at Great Scott.
It is said that American prosperity is fading in a bleach of educational incompetence, and that a large proportion of our incoming work force can neither adjust to new technologies nor perform high-level communicative tasks.
Political reality, wait to evaluate, out of proportion , share the winnings.
LANXESS Sets Global Corporate Target for the Proportion of Women in Management.
Proportion of Louisiana residents who don't pay income tax ranks near the top.
Spiller off to start of legendary proportion .
Is the media blowing handshake between Detroit Lions' Jim Schwartz and 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh out of proportion .
The inventory of unsold new homes doesn't look too scary when you view it the conventional way, namely, in proportion to the rate of new-home sales.
This phenomenon can be especially troublesome in servo and proportional valves by causing erratic operation and equipment malfunctions.
It is a scam of international proportions.
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### In science:

If x is a homogenous quadratic element of a standard presentation of I , φλ,µ(x) is proportional to x, so J (φλ,µ (x)) is proportional to φλ,µ(J (x)) and therefore belongs to φλ,µ(I ).
Number Operator Algebras
The total number of spins available for this will be proportional to B , hence the transition rates should also be proportional to B and independent of L.
Magnetization reversal times in the 2D Ising model
For this one should notice ﬁrst of all that for M -values on the plateau exp(βF (M )) is proportional to 1/L, because the number of ways a pair of interfaces may be placed such that the average magnetization equals M , is proportional to L.
Magnetization reversal times in the 2D Ising model
The mass of this vector ﬁeld is proportional to the length of the string (since the energy or mass of a string is proportional to its length), i.e. to the distance between the i-th and j -th branes.
String Theory or Field Theory?
And a simple computation shows that the proportion of visited sites from which a 0-transition is possible but does not take place ﬁts exactly with the proportion of visited sites from which the ﬁrst (and unique) transition is a 1-transition; so µ(ν1 > 0 and ν2 > 0) = 0.
Random walks in random environment: What a single trajectory tells
The parameter τ is proportional to pc − p, i.e., it speciﬁes the distance from the critical point. w is proportional to σ−1 or K −1 , respectively.
Corrections to Scaling in Random Resistor Networks and Diluted Continuous Spin Models near the Percolation Threshold
Below the saturation threshold, the increase of conductivity is roughly proportional to the number of excitations, and thus proportional to the total photon energy injected (∆σtot (tw ) ∼ tw ).
A Simple Model for Simple Aging in Glassy Yttrium-Hydrides
If we take these two highest weight states to be proportional, then Equation (3.13) limits the proportionality constant to ±1.
The Extended Algebra of the Minimal Models
The wavevector q is proportional to the difference of the two Fermi wavevectors q ∝ kF ↑ − kF ↓ with a proportionality coeﬃcient of order unity.
Theory of ultracold Fermi gases
As remarked below (2.2), we must show that Lr,n ({ap}) is proportional to Rr,n ({ap}), and then determine the proportionality.
A random matrix decimation procedure relating $\beta = 2/(r+1)$ to $\beta = 2(r+1)$
These results rely on the eigenvalue PDF of OEn (f ) ∪ OEn+1 (f ) being proportional to (3.12) and OEn (f ) ∪ OEn (f ) being proportional to (3.13).
A random matrix decimation procedure relating $\beta = 2/(r+1)$ to $\beta = 2(r+1)$
Indeed the messages h, u are at leading order proportional to β , with proportionality coeﬃcients we shall denote bh and bu.
A review of the Statistical Mechanics approach to Random Optimization Problems
And third, since all terms are proportional to (F Res)2 , the second term, which is proportional to ˆA ∝ E , and the third term, which is proportional to ˆA2 ∝ E 2 , become relatively enhanced for high energies.
Neutrino factory optimization for non-standard interactions
We note that this potential is proportional to the last term of (3.37) and because of the diagonality of (3.56), one cannot get a term proportional to the ﬁrst term by using a linear combination of vectors as the gauge ﬁeld.
Stable de Sitter Vacua in 4 Dimensional Supergravity Originating from 5 Dimensions
Both for u ≪ 1 and u ≫ 1, the observed relative ﬂux offset (F (k) (t) − F (k) base )/∆F (k) becomes independent of u0 , while t1/2 becomes proportional to u0 tE , however with different proportionality factors for the two extreme cases.
Parameter degeneracies and (un)predictability of gravitational microlensing events
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