The word "proportion" is spelled with ten letters, divided into three syllables. The stress falls on the second syllable, which is pronounced with the schwa sound /ə/. The first syllable is pronounced with the voiced bilabial plosive sound /p/, followed by the vowel sound /r/ and the voiceless alveolar affricate /tʃ/. The final syllable is pronounced with the voiced bilabial fricative sound /ʒn/. The phonetic transcription of the word is /prəˈpɔːʃn/.
Proportion is a noun that refers to the calculation of the relationship or comparative measure between different elements or components, usually in terms of their sizes, quantities, or values. It involves the comparison between two or more parts in relation to the whole or each other.
For example, in mathematics, proportion is often expressed in terms of ratios or fractions, determining the equality of two ratios. This is commonly symbolized as "a:b = c:d" where a, b, c, and d represent different quantities or values. Proportions are used to find unknown values or compare different sets of data.
In art and design, proportion refers to the harmonious relationship between different elements such as lines, shapes, or color, both regarding their sizes and their relationships to each other. It involves creating balance and visual harmony in a composition.
Proportion also plays a crucial role in architecture, where it involves the relative scaling and arrangement of different architectural elements to create aesthetically pleasing and balanced structures.
Furthermore, proportion can refer to the fair or just distribution of resources, rights, or opportunities, taking into consideration the appropriate share or amount that should be allocated to each interested party. It involves the equitable division or allocation of resources based on specific criteria or considerations.
In summary, proportion is the calculation or comparison of different elements or entities in relation to each other, whether it be in terms of sizes, quantities, values, or distributions. It encompasses mathematical, artistic, architectural, and social considerations.
• Relation or correspondence of parts between unequal things of the same kind; symmetry; in arith., a rule in which three terms are given to find a fourth; in geom., the identity, equality, or similitude of ratios; mutual fitness or correspondence of parts to each other, and to the whole; equal degree; equal or just share; form; size.
• To adjust the comparative relation of one thing, or one part, to another; to form symmetrically; to divide into equal or just shares.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word proportion derives from the Latin word proportio, which can be broken down into two parts: pro-, meaning for or according to, and portio, meaning part or share. In Latin, proportio referred to the comparative relationship or ratio between two or more things. This word was later borrowed into Middle English as proportioun, eventually evolving into the modern English term proportion.