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Portion vs Serving - What's the difference?

portion | serving |

As nouns the difference between portion and serving

is that portion is an allocated amount while serving is the action of the verb to serve.

As verbs the difference between portion and serving

is that portion is to divide into amounts, as for allocation to specific purposes while serving is present participle of lang=en.

As an adjective serving is

that or who serves or serve.

portion

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • An allocated amount.
  • That which is divided off or separated, as a part from a whole; a separated part of anything.
  • One's fate; lot.
  • * Bible, Luke xii. 46
    • The lord of that servant will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
  • * Keble
    • Man's portion is to die and rise again.
  • The part of an estate given or falling to a child or heir; an inheritance.
  • * Bible, Luke xv. 12
    • Give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.
  • A wife's fortune; a dowry.
  • * 1613 , , V. iv. 31:
    • Commend me to her, and to piece her portion / Tender her this.

    Usage notes

    Relatively formal, compared to the more informal part or more concrete and casual piece. For example, “part of the money” (both informal) but “portion of the proceeds” (both formal).

    Synonyms

    * part * piece

    Derived terms

    * portionless * proportion

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To divide into amounts, as for allocation to specific purposes.
  • To endow with a portion or inheritance.
    • Him portioned maids, apprenticed orphans, blest. — Alexander Pope.

    Usage notes

    * Particularly used as portion out. * Relatively formal, compared to the more informal divide, divide up, or the casual divvy, divvy up.

    Synonyms

    * divide, divide up * divvy, divvy up

    Derived terms

    * portion off * portion out

    External links

    * * ----

    serving

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • That or who serves or serve.
    • serving marines
    serving girl

    Noun

  • (uncountable) The action of the verb to serve .
    • The tennis match began with her serving .
  • (countable) A portion (especially, of a meal) served to someone.
  • (countable) A layer added to the outside of an electrical cable to protect it

    • Verb

    (head)