ラテン語のpro portione、割合にしたがって、部分との関係で、pro, forward, according to, in accordance with, portione, partから、語源的には部分と同じ。
英語の語源
proportion (n.)
late 14c., "due relation of one part to another," also "size, extent; compartative relation in size, degree, number, etc.," from Old French proporcion "measure, proportion" (13c.), from Latin proportionem (nominative proportio) "comparative relation, analogy," from phrase pro portione "according to the relation" (of parts to each other), from pro "for" (see pro-) + ablative of *partio "division," related to pars (see part (n.)). Phrase out of proportion attested by 1670s.
My fortunes [are] as ill proportioned as your legs. [John Marston, "Antonio and Mellida," 1602]
proportion (v.)
"to adjust or regulate the proportions of," late 14c., from proportion (n.) and in part from Middle French proporcioner and directly from Medieval Latin proportionare. Related: Proportioned; proportioning.
例文
1. We must keep a sense of proportion about all this.
私たちはこれらすべてに対して軽重緩急の区別をしなければなりません。
2.A substantial proportion of the population speak a French-based patois.
人口の大部分がフランス語を基礎とした混合語を話している。
3.The proportion of women in the profession had risen to 17.3%.
この職業に従事する女性の割合は17.3%に上昇した。
4.A high proportion of the new arrivals are skilled professionals.
新しく来た人の多くは熟練したプロです。
5.The radio station has to include a substantial proportion of classical music.