Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Pittance

Pit′tance

(pĭt′tans)
,
Noun.
[OE.
pitance
,
pitaunce
, F.
pitance
; cf. It.
pietanza
, LL.
pitancia
,
pittantia
,
pictantia
; perh. fr. L.
pietas
pity, piety, or perhaps akin to E.
petty
. Cf.
Petty
, and
Pity
.]
1.
An allowance of food bestowed in charity; a mess of victuals; hence, a small charity gift; a dole.
“A good pitaunce.”
Chaucer.
One half only of this
pittance
was ever given him in money.
Macaulay.
2.
A meager portion, quantity, or allowance; an inconsiderable salary or compensation.
“The small pittance of learning they received.”
Swift.
The inconsiderable
pittance
of faithful professors.
Fuller.

Webster 1828 Edition

Pittance

PIT'TANCE

,
Noun.
[The word signifies primarily, a portion of food allowed to a monk. The Spanish has pitar, to distribute allowances of meat, and pitancero, a person who distributes allowances, or a friar who lives on charity.]
1.
An allowance of meat in a monastery.
2.
A very small portion allowed or assigned.
3.
A very small quantity.

Similar Results