(b) The rule of three, in arithmetic, in which the three given terms, together with the one sought, are
proportional.
Continued proportion,
Inverse proportion, etc.
See under Continued, Inverse, etc. — Harmonical,
or Musical, proportion, a relation of three or four quantities, such that the first is to the last as the
difference between the first two is to the difference between the last two; thus, 2, 3, 6, are in harmonical
proportion; for 2 is to 6 as 1 to 3. Thus, 24, 16, 12, 9, are harmonical, for 24:9::8:3. — In proportion,
according as; to the degree that. "In proportion as they are metaphysically true, they are morally and
politically false." Burke.
Proportion
(Pro*por"tion), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Proportioned ; p. pr. & vb. n. Proportioning.] [Cf. F.
proportionner. Cf. Proportionate, v.]
1. To adjust in a suitable proportion, as one thing or one part to another; as, to proportion the size of a
building to its height; to proportion our expenditures to our income.
In the loss of an object we do not proportion our grief to the real value . . . but to the value our fancies
set upon it.
Addison. 2. To form with symmetry or suitableness, as the parts of the body.
Nature had proportioned her without any fault.
Sir P. Sidney. 3. To divide into equal or just shares; to apportion.
Proportionable
(Pro*por"tion*a*ble) a. Capable of being proportioned, or made proportional; also, proportional; proportionate.
— Pro*por"tion*a*ble*ness, n.
But eloquence may exist without a proportionable degree of wisdom.
Burke.
Proportionable, which is no longer much favored, was of our [i. e., English writers'] own coining.
Fitzed.
Hall. Proportionably
(Pro*por"tion*a*bly), adv. Proportionally. Locke.
Proportional
(Pro*por"tion*al) a. [L. proportionalis: cf. F. proportionnel.]
1. Having a due proportion, or comparative relation; being in suitable proportion or degree; as, the parts
of an edifice are proportional. Milton.
2. Relating to, or securing, proportion. Hutton.
3. (Math.) Constituting a proportion; having the same, or a constant, ratio; as, proportional quantities; momentum
is proportional to quantity of matter.
Proportional logarithms,
logistic logarithms. See under Logistic. — Proportional scale, a scale
on which are marked parts proportional to the logarithms of the natural numbers; a logarithmic scale. —
Proportional scales, compasses, dividers, etc. (Draughting), instruments used in making copies of
drawings, or drawings of objects, on an enlarged or reduced scale.
Proportional
(Pro*por"tion*al), n.
1. (Math.) Any number or quantity in a proportion; as, a mean proportional.
2. (Chem.) The combining weight or equivalent of an element. [Obs.]
Proportionality
(Pro*por`tion*al"i*ty) n. [Cf. F. proportionnalité.] The state of being in proportion. Coleridge.