The correct spelling of the phrase "short ration" is /ʃɔrt ˈræʃən/. It refers to a smaller than normal amount of food that is issued to someone, usually in military or emergency contexts. The term can also be used figuratively to describe a situation where a resource or supply is limited. The IPA phonetic transcription demonstrates that the initial sound is "sh" as in "she," the "o" is pronounced as "aw" as in "law," and "ration" ends with an "n" sound.
The term "short ration" refers to a limited amount of food that is intentionally provided or allocated for a specified period. It can be defined as an insufficient quantity of provisions or food products intended for sustenance over a specific timeframe. The concept of "short ration" typically arises in situations where there is a scarcity of resources or when individuals or groups need to ration their available supplies due to limited availability.
Short rationing can occur during times of crisis, such as natural disasters, where food supplies are scarce and need to be distributed among a larger population. It can also take place in military settings, where soldiers or personnel are assigned limited food portions to ensure equal distribution and fair shares for everyone involved.
The purpose of short rationing is to ensure that there is enough food to sustain individuals or groups until additional supplies become available. It requires careful monitoring and management of available resources to prevent depletion and starvation. Short rationing may involve the use of ration cards, which allocate specific amounts of food per person or family, preventing hoarding and ensuring fairness.
Overall, short ration refers to the deliberate allocation of a limited quantity of food for a specific period, usually due to resource scarcity or the need to rationally distribute supplies.
The word "short ration" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two commonly used words in the English language.
"Short" comes from the Old English word "sceort" meaning "not long" or "having less length". It is related to the Old High German word "scurz" and the Old Norse word "skorta".
"Ration" comes from the Latin word "rationem", which means "a reckoning, account, or calculation". The term "ration" refers to a fixed amount or portion of food or other supplies given to an individual or a group, especially in times of scarcity or during military campaigns.
Therefore, when combined, "short ration" simply indicates a reduced or insufficient quantity of food or supplies allocated to someone.