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-- Contour line (Topographical Suv.), the line in which a horizontal plane intersects a portion of ground, or the corresponding line in a map or chart.

That which is contributed; -- either the portion which an individual furnishes to the common stock, or the whole which is formed by the gifts of individuals. A certain contribution for the poor saints which are at jerusalem. Rom. xv. 26. Aristotle's actual contributions to the physical sciences. Whewell.…

the form or value of a proposition; as, the conversion of equations; the conversion of proportions.

One who has an equal portion with others of an inheritance. All the coparceners together make but one heir, and have but one estate among them. blackstone.

A deposit of coralliferous limestone forming a portion of the middle division of the oölite; -- called also coral-rag.

The west coast, or a portion of the west coast, of the Bay of Bengal. Coromandel gooseberry. See Carambola. -- Coromandel wood, Calamander wood.

old tentants of his family, who, wretched as was their own condition, could not refuse a portion of their pittance to one whom they still regarded as their rightful lord. Macaulay.

The law that the force exerted between two electric or magnetic charges is directly proportional to the product of the charges and inversely to the square of the distance between them.

A circuit or particular portion of a state or kingdom, separated from the rest of the territory, for certain purposes in the administration of justice and public affairs; -- called also a shire. See Shire. Every county, every town, every family, was in agitation. Macaulay.

That portion of a slate, tile, or shingle, which is hidden by the overlap of the course above. Knight.

epartment of science (as of ethnology or archæology) which deals with the shape, size, proportions, indications, etc., of skulls; the study of skulls.

A bent portion of an axle, or shaft, or an arm keyed at right angles to the end of a shaft, by which motion is imparted to or received from it; also used to change circular into reciprocating motion, or reciprocating into circular motion. See Bell crank.

A small false roof, or the raising of a portion of a roof, so as to throw off water from behind an obstacle, such as a chimney.

ptics), that angle of incidence of a luminous ray at which it is wholly reflected, and no portion of it transmitted. The sine of this angle is the reciprocal of the refractive index of the medium. -- Critical philosophy, the metaphysical system of Kant; -- so called from his most important work, the "Critique of Pure…

The coloring matter of the blood; the clotted portion of coagulated blood, containing the coloring matter; gore.

The exterior portion of the earth, formerly universally supposed to inclose a molten interior.

That portion of food which is brought up into the mouth by ruminating animals from their first stomach, to be cheved a second time. Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat. Levit. xi. 3

A small portion of bread or beer; the quantity bought with a farthing or half farthing. [Obs.]

The lower faceted portion of a brilliant-cut diamond.

That which is to be received or indured; that which is allotted to one; a portion. O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Matt. xxvi. 39.