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To make partition of among a number; to apportion, as profits of stock among proprietors; to give in shares; to distribute; to mete out; to share. True justice unto people to divide. Spenser. Ye shall divide the land by lot. Num. xxxiii. 54.

centage; -- applied to the profits as appropriated among shareholders, and to assets as apportioned among creditors; as, the dividend of a bank, a railway corporation, or a bankrupt estate.

The portion separated by the divining of a mass or body; a distinct segment or section. Communities and divisions of men. Addison.

A colloquial name for the Southern portion of the United States, esp. during the Civil War. [U.S.]

Noting a flight of stairs, consisting of two or more straight portions connected by a platform (landing) or platforms, and running in opposite directions without an intervening wellhole.

Distribution; dealing; apportionment. At her general dole, Each receives his ancient soul. Cleveland.

A mineral consisting of the carbonate of lime and magnesia in varying proportions. It occurs in distinct crystals, and in extensive beds as a compact limestone, often crystalline granular, either white or clouded. It includes much of the common white marble. Also called bitter spar.

A large beam in the roof of a house upon which portions of the other timbers rest or " sleep." Arch. Pub. Soc. -- Called also dormant tree, dorman tree, dormond, and dormer. Halliwell.

A sufficient quantity; a portion; as much as one can take, or as falls to one to receive.

A marriage portion; dowry. [Louisiana]

Pertaining to dower, or a woman's marriage portion; constituting dower, or comprised in it. Garth.

The act of endowing, or bestowing a marriage portion on a woman.

A marriage portion. [Obs.] See 1st Dot, n. Wyatt.

-- done from the Latin Vulgate by English scholars resident in France. The New Testament portion was published at Rheims, A. D. 1582, the Old Testament at Douai, A. D. 1609-10. Various revised editions have since been published. [Written also Doway Bible. Called also the Rheims and Douay version.]

ed by two; increased by its equivalent; made twice as large or as much, etc. Let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 2 Kings ii. 9. Darkness and tempest make a double night. Dryden.

A pin, or block, of wood or metal, fitting into holes in the abutting portions of two pieces, and being partly in one piece and partly in the other, to keep them in their proper relative position.

That portion of the real estate of a man which his widow enjoys during her life, or to which a woman is entitled after the death of her husband. Blackstone.

Furnished with, or as with, dower or a marriage portion. Shak.

Destitute of dower; having no marriage portion. Shak.

The money, goods, or estate, which a woman brings to her husband in marriage; a bride's portion on her marriage. See Note under Dower. Shak. Dryden.