Etymology Map
Back to all words

Portion

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a part or share of something

Where does the word "portion" come from? It comes from Latin portio, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
portio
Latin · ancient
"share"
related to 'pars', part
2
Stage 2 of 3
porcion
Old French · medieval
"share"
a share of an inheritance
3
Stage 3 of 3
portion
English · 1200s
"a share"
food 'portions' date from the 1800s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Portion’s story begins in Latin: portio meant “share.” Related to 'pars', part. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as porcion. A share of an inheritance. It reached English by 1200s as portion. Food 'portions' date from the 1800s. Today, portion means a part or share of something.