Apportion is a word that is often used in legal and political contexts. It refers to the process of dividing or allocating something, such as resources or responsibilities, among different individuals or groups. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of apportion, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, apportion means “to divide and share out according to a plan, especially to allocate proportionally.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “to divide or distribute (something) in a particular way.” In both cases, the emphasis is on the idea of dividing or allocating something in a fair and equitable manner.
Origin
The word apportion comes from the Middle French word apportionner, which means “to divide into portions.” It entered the English language in the 15th century, and its meaning has remained relatively consistent since then.
Meaning in different dictionaries
In addition to the Merriam-Webster and Oxford English dictionaries, other dictionaries offer similar definitions of apportion. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “to divide and share out something between several people or organizations.” The Collins English Dictionary describes it as “to divide and share out (something) in a planned or proportional way.”
Associations
Apportion is often used in legal and political contexts. For example, it may be used to describe the process of dividing up a budget among different departments or agencies. It may also be used in the context of redistricting, where voting districts are redrawn to ensure that each one has roughly the same number of residents.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of apportion include allocate, distribute, divide, and share. These words all convey the idea of dividing or allocating something among different individuals or groups.
Antonyms
Antonyms of apportion include hoard, keep, and withhold. These words suggest the opposite of dividing or allocating something – instead, they imply that something is being kept or reserved for one individual or group.
The same root words
The word apportion shares its root with other words that have similar meanings. For example, the word portion refers to a part or share of something, while the word proportion refers to the relationship between different parts of a whole.
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences that use the word apportion:
- The committee will need to apportion the budget among the various departments.
- The city council is responsible for apportioning voting districts.
- The judge will apportion the damages among the plaintiffs.
- The company will apportion the profits based on each employee’s contribution.
- The school board will apportion resources based on the needs of each school.