proportionaln.adj.
/prəˈpɔːʃn̩(ə)l/, /prəˈpɔːʃən(ə)l/, U.S. /prəˈpɔrʃ(ə)nəl/ A. n.† 1. A mathematical proportion (proportion n. 9a). Obsolete. rare.† 3. Chemistry. = proportion n. 10. Obsolete.† 4. A proportionate part; a relative quantity. Obsolete. rare.
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the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun] > a proportionate part
proportionalc1395
c1395 G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale 1278 Ther lakked noght, Neither his collect ne his expans yeris..ne hise othere geris As been his centris and hise argumentz And hise proporcionels [v.r. proporcinel] conuenientz For hise equacions in euery thyng.
2. Mathematics. Each of the terms of a proportion (proportion n. 9a); a term in a series that bears the same relation (esp. the same ratio) to the previous term as the following term does to it. Cf. mean proportional n.continued proportional: see the first element.
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the world > relative properties > number > ratio or proportion > [noun] > numerical elements of
antecedent1570
consequent1570
proportional1570
1570 J. Dee in H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. Math. Præf. sig. ciijv Betwene two lines giuen, finde two middle proportionals, in Continuall proportion.
1656 tr. T. Hobbes Elements Philos. ii. xiii. 123 If there be never so many continual Proportionals..their Differences will be Proportional to them.
1743 W. Emerson Doctr. Fluxions 131 Let the Number of geometrical Proportionals be increas'd..and let the arithmetic Proportionals be in like Manner increased.
1798 C. Hutton Course Math. I. 95 The four proportionals, 4, 2, 6, 3 are set thus, 4:2::6:3, which means, that 4 is to 2 as 6 is to 3; or thus, 4:2 = 6:3, or thus, 4/ 2 = 6/ 3, both which mean, that the ratio of 4 to 2, is equal to the ratio of 6 to 3.
1875 Analyst 2 17 We construct again an equilateral triangle with the side m + n, or with the sum of any convenient proportionals of m and n.
1989 E. J. Borowski & J. M. Borwein Dict. Math. 474 In a : b = c : x, x is the fourth proportional.
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the world > matter > chemistry > elements and compounds > [noun] > elements > proportionalism > proportion
proportion1808
proportional1825
1825 W. T. Brande Man. Pharmacy 204 In its dry state it [sc. nitric acid] consists of—5 proportionals of Oxygen..1 [of] Nitrogen.
1826 Abstr. Papers Royal Soc. 2 265 It would accordingly appear that the hydro-carbon acts the part of a neutralizer of one of the proportionals of sulphuric acid.
1832 G. R. Porter Treat. Manuf. Porcelain & Glass 164 Silica, boracic acid, and oxide of lead, brought together in single proportionals.
1871 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 161 62 This double salt contains only four proportionals of water of crystallization.
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the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun]
deala800
doleOE
endOE
lotlOE
partyc1300
parta1325
specec1330
portiona1387
piecec1400
proportion1443
parcellingc1449
faction1577
piecemeal1603
proportional1856
1856 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 17 i. 177 We get blighted leaves and straw, with too small a proportional of corn.
1889 Times 19 Mar. 9/5 This summary appropriates under separate sub-heads the estimated expenditure in labour and materials, with a proportional of establishment charges to each class of work.
B. adj.
1. That is in proportion, or in due proportion; related proportionately to something; corresponding, esp. in degree or amount.
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the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] > that is in due proportion or proportionate
reasonable1348
proportionala1398
proportionatea1398
proportionable?a1425
attemperate1485
measured1561
measurable1563
answerable1567
symmetral1660
adequal1678
proportionative1949
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 209v Among all graffynge of trees, þe best is whan þe graffe and þe stok beþ yliche..oþer of trees þat haueþ humour proporcional and acordynge eiþer to oþer.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 333v Armonica distingueþ grete & smale in sounes and hihe and lowe and proporcional chaungynge of voice and of soune.
?a1425 MS Hunterian 95 f. 93 Ȝif þe to lippe of þe wounde be hiȝer þen þe toþer, leie aboue pressures þat ben proporcionel to þe wounde & binde it wele.
c1475 tr. Henri de Mondeville Surgery (Wellcome) f. 165v (MED) Leie aboue of plumaciolis of stuppis wet in hoot wyne and expressid þat it be mad proporcional to þe wounde.
1570 J. Dee in H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. Math. Præf. sig. biii With some proportionall consideration for our time, and being.
1645 in S. M. Ffarington Farington Papers (1856) 104 She therefore humblie prayeth..that you wold bee pleased to allowe unto her such proportionall allowance..as the Ordinance of Parliament doth in such cases limitt and appointe.
1669 P. Staynred Compend. Fortification 6 in S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. To draw the Proportional Dimension of a Regular Fort of 6 Sides.
1709 G. Berkeley Ess. New Theory of Vision (new ed.) §73.82 The Magnitude of distant Objects, was suggested by the Extent of their Visible Appearance alone, and thought Proportional thereto.
1769 W. Robertson Hist. Charles V III. viii. 74 Animated with a zeal in defence of their religion proportional to the fierceness with which it had been attacked.
1831 D. Brewster Treat. Optics vii. 70 Taking as much of each as seem to be proportional to the rays in each coloured space.
1870 Times 26 Mar. 9/4 Many of them have a share which is proportional to their rank and influence.
1897 T. C. Allbutt et al. Syst. Med. II. 982 The increase or diminution of the uric acid was in no way proportional to the severity of the colic.
1974 M. Lieb in M. Lieb & J. T. Shawcross Achievements of Left Hand 63 The space devoted to each of these three classes is hardly proportional.
1995 Scotsman 18 Oct. 6/8 There will be a review after the first elections to establish where the additional member plus first-past-the-post system produced a more proportional result and achieved gender balance.
2. Of or relating to proportion; relative.
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the world > relative properties > relationship > [adjective] > relative
respectivec1454
proportional1561
relative1611
non-absolute1654
scheticala1688
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. i. v. f. 6v To wey..the knitting together, ye proportional agreement [L. symmetriam], the beautie, & vse in the frame of mans body.
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. iii. ii. f.114 In these formes of speach standeth a proportionall relation [L. analogia].
1690 J. Locke Ess. Humane Understanding ii. xxvii. 156 These Relations depending on the Equality and Excess of the same simple Idea, in several Subjects, may be called..Proportional.
1757 E. Burke Philos. Enq. Sublime & Beautiful iii. §4. 79 How are the partizans of proportional beauty agreed?
1839 C. Darwin in R. Fitzroy & C. Darwin Narr. Surv. Voy. H.M.S. Adventure & Beagle III. vi. 137 I am not botanist enough to say, whether the change is owing to the introduction of new species, to the altered growth of the same, or to a difference in their proportional numbers.
1872 ‘G. Eliot’ Middlemarch II. iv. xxxv. 214 The petty sums which any bankrupt of high standing would be sorry to retire upon, may be lifted to the level of high commercial transactions by the inexpensive addition of proportional ciphers.
1901 T. R. Ashworth & H. P. C. Ashworth Proportional Representation vii. 162 The Liste Libre, or Free List system,..applies the proportional principle not to individual candidates but to parties.
1989 A. Dillard Writing Life i. 15 There is neither a proportional relationship, nor an inverse one, between a writer's estimation of a work in progress and its actual quality.
3. Mathematics. That is in proportion (proportion n. 9); (of two or more pairs of quantities) having the same ratio. In later use also: (of a variable quantity) having a constant ratio to another variable quantity; (of two variable quantities) having a constant ratio.arithmetically, geometrically proportional, etc.: see the first element.
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the world > relative properties > number > ratio or proportion > [adjective] > equal or constant
portionable?c1425
answerable1551
analogical1570
homologal1570
proportional1570
homologous1660
the world > relative properties > number > ratio or proportion > [adjective] > proportional
rateable1503
proportional1570
pro rata1829
1570 H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. v. f. 130v Magnitudes which are in one and the selfe same proportion, are called Proportionall [L. proportionales].
1597 T. Blundeville Exercises (ed. 2) i. xxiii. f. 24v Multiply the two numbers..the one by the other..the square Roote of the product shall bee the meane proportionall number betwixt them.
1706 W. Jones Synopsis Palmariorum Matheseos 66 The Powers of Proportionals are also Proportional.
1798 C. Hutton Course Math. I. 319 Triangles which have their Sides Proportional, are Equiangular.
1851 G. F. Richardson Geol. (1855) v. 87 The planes of a crystal are said to be similar when their corresponding edges are proportional.
1871 J. Tyndall Fragm. Sci. (ed. 2) i. 15 The work which any moving masses whatever are competent to perform..is jointly proportional to the square of the velocity.
1940 G. H. J. Adlam & L. S. Price Higher School Certificate Inorg. Chem. (ed. 2) viii. 51 The first law of osmotic pressure is: at constant temperature, osmotic presure is directly proportional to concentration.
1959 A. Koestler Sleepwalkers iv. vi. 325 The earth's velocity proved to be, simply and beautifully, inversely proportional to distance.
1991 C. A. Ronan Nat. Hist. Universe 18/1 (caption) In Euclidean space, a circle's area is proportional to the square of its radius.
Compounds
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society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > parts of machines > wheel > [noun] > parts of wheels > tooth > imaginary line through
pitch line1787
pitch circle1813
proportional circle1825
1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 21 When these two circles [representing wheel and pinion] are so placed that their outer rims shall touch each other, a line drawn from the centre of the one to the centre of the other is termed the line of centres... These circles are sometimes called proportional circles, but by mill-wrights in general pitch lines.
proportional compass n. †(a) = paradoxal compass n. at paradoxal adj. 1 (obsolete); (b) chiefly historical a compass having two opposite pairs of legs turning on a common pivot, the position of which is adjustable, so that the distances between the pairs of points on either side of the pivot may be set to any desired ratio (cf. reducing compass n. at reducing n. Compounds 2, reduction compass n. at reduction n. Compounds 2); (also) a sector (sector n. 3).
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the world > relative properties > measurement > measuring instrument > [noun] > for measuring distances > compasses, dividers, or callipers
compassa1387
proportional compass1570
callipers1571
calliper compass1581
triangular compasses1701
dividers1703
cannipers1707
hair-compasses1728
bow-compass1796
outside calliper1874
wing-compass1875
moff1885
odd-leg1900
1570 J. Dee in H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Elements Geom. Math. Præf. sig. diiijv The Proportionall, and Paradoxall Compasses (of me Inuented).
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. at Reduction The grand use of the proportional Compasses is in the Reduction of Figures, &c. whence they are also called Compasses of Reduction.
1807 T. Young Course Lect. Nat. Philos. I. x. 103 Proportional compasses are..of great use in reducing lines and figures to a different scale.
1965 Technol. & Culture 6 242 Another instrument described and illustrated by Bion, the compas de proportion (sector, or sometimes proportional compass), owes its origin to..Galileo Galilei.
1986 Design Issues 3 59/1 Beam and telescopic compasses came into use, as did..complex dividers, proportional compasses, and innumerable forms of rulers.
proportional counter n. Physics an ionization chamber in which the voltage between the electrodes is large enough to produce amplification but not so large that the output pulse ceases to be proportional to the initial ionization.
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the world > matter > chemistry > equipment or apparatus > [noun] > chambers for specific reactions
poison tower1839
pressure chamber1857
Glover (also Glover's) tower1871
cloud chamber1897
bubble chamber1902
proportional counter1932
1932 Proc. Royal Soc. A. 137 681 The apparatus..was similar to that used by Rutherford and Chadwick except that the scintillation screen was replaced by the window of a Geiger proportional counter.
1958 R. A. Faires & B. H. Parks Radioisotope Lab. Techniques xi. 111 In order to obtain the high electric fields required to produce gas amplification, the proportional counter usually takes the form of a metal cylinder, having a fine wire, insulated at its ends, stretched along its length.
1991 Atom Jan. 8 (advt.) The Harwell designed gas flow proportional counter will detect as little as 1.5 Bq of tritium.
proportional counting n. Physics measurement of ionizing radiation using a proportional counter.
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the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > radioactivity > alpha radiation > [noun] > detector for charged particles > with counting device > use of
scintillation counting1928
proportional counting1939
1939 Rev. Mod. Physics 11 213/2 With the gases mentioned, stable proportional counting and freedom from extremely critical voltage control can only be achieved with the aid of high gain amplifiers.
1980 Amer. Antiquity 45 809 Radiocarbon dates and weighted averages. All dates are wood and charcoal assays using proportional counting of carbon dioxide.
proportional limit n. Mechanics the maximum strain to which a body or material can be subjected before the strain ceases to be proportional to the stress.
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the world > matter > physics > mechanics > force > stress or force exerted and tending to deform > [noun] > law of proportion of stress or strain > maximum stress keeping proportion
limit of proportionality1882
proportional limit1906
1906 Proc. Royal Soc. 12 427 Bars tested in torsion to some stress below the elastic limit (proportional limit of bar) and the direction of torsion reversed immediately.
1950 E. E. Wahlstrom Introd. Theoret. Igneous Petrol. v. 115 Both the elastic limit and the proportional limit vary with the time through which the stress is applied.
2005 Engin. Structures 27 1465/2 Stainless steel exhibits a non-linear stress-strain relationship..and a relatively low proportional limit.
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1825 ‘J. Nicholson’ Operative Mechanic 21 When these two circles [representing wheel and pinion] are so placed that their outer rims shall touch each other, a line drawn from the centre of the one to the centre of the other is termed the line of centres; and the radii of the two circles the proportional radii.
proportional representation n. [after French représentation proportionnelle (1839)] Politics parliamentary representation based on numerical rather than regional division of the electorate; spec. a system in which each party gains seats in proportion to the total number of votes it receives, usually by means of a form of transferable vote (see transferable adj. Compounds).
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society > authority > office > appointment to office > choosing or fact of being chosen for office > election of representative body by vote > right to vote at elections > [noun] > system of representation
proportional representation1870
PR1885
proportionalism1885
1870 Times 14 Feb. 8/6 In the States of America, in the Cantons of Switzerland, in the Empire of France proportional representation is the creed of all the men in the front rank of the party of movement.
1873 J. S. Mill Autobiogr. vii. 302 The two greatest improvements which remain to be made in Representative Government... One of them was Personal, or, as it is called with equal propriety, Proportional Representation.
1884 Pall Mall Gaz. 19 Dec. 3/1 Proportional Representation finds little favour with the caucuses.
1952 Ann. Reg. 1951 206 Proportional representation would increase Communist and Gaullist representation.
2003 J. Moon & C. Sharman Austral. Polit. & Government i. 7 A variety of forms of proportional representation have been tried for both lower and upper houses in a number of states.
proportional scale n. a logarithmic scale.
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1690 W. Leybourn Cursus mathematicus 191 Logarithmetical or Proportional Scales.
1998 Amer. Naturalist 152 778/2 Minimum, maximum, and reconstructed amounts of change can be compared among traits..on a proportional scale as provided by ln-transformed data.
proportional spacing n. a method of spacing printed characters so that the space each occupies on the page varies according to its width, rather than each character occupying the same amount of space regardless of its width.
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society > communication > writing > written text > layout > [noun] > action of spacing words or lines
spacing1683
proportional spacing1942
1942 Ann. Amer. Acad. Polit. & Social Sci. 219 57/2 Recently manufacturers have put on the market typewriters which permit proportional spacing of the type characters.
2003 L. E. Miner & J. T. Miner Proposal Planning & Writing xv. 207 The ragged right margin is easier to read than one that is fully justified because the proportional spacing of the letters slows readability.
proportional spiral n. now historical and rare = logarithmic spiral at logarithmic adj. a.
ΚΠ
1687 Philos. Trans. 1686–7 (Royal Soc.) 16 292 If the Curve described be a Circle passing through the Center of tendency; then the force or tendency towards that Center is in all points as the fift power or squared-cube of the distance therefrom reciprocally. If in the proportional Spiral, reciprocally as the cube of the distance.
1696 E. Halley in Philos. Trans. 1695–7 (Royal Soc.) 19 205 They [sc. rhumb lines on the globe] are therefore, in that Projection, Proportional Spirals about the Pole Point.
1752 Philos. Trans. 1749–50 (Royal Soc.) 46 561 And hence the proportional Spiral is also called the logarithmic Spiral.
1920 J. Hambidge Dynamic Symmetry: Greek Vase 147 The name logarithmic spiral is due to Jacques Bernoulli. The spiral has been called also the geometrical spiral, and the proportional spiral; but more commonly, because of the property observed by Descartes, the equiangular spiral.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.adj.c1395