PITTANCE

pittance

(noun) an inadequate payment; “they work all day for a mere pittance”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

pittance (plural pittances)

A small allowance of food and drink; a scanty meal.

A meagre allowance of money or wages.

A small amount.

Source: Wiktionary


Pit"tance, n. Etym: [OE. pitance, pitaunce, F. pitance; cf. It. pietanza, LL. pitancia, pittantia, pictantia; perh. fr. L. pietas pity, piety, or perhaps akin to E. petty. Cf. Petty, and Pity.]

1. An allowance of food bestowed in charity; a mess of victuals; hence, a small charity gift; a dole. "A good pitaunce." Chaucer. One half only of this pittance was ever given him in money. Macaulay.

2. A meager portion, quality, or allowance; an inconsiderable salary or compensation. "The small pittance of learning they received." Swift. The inconsiderable pittance of faithful professors. Fuller.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

2 May 2025

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