Rations

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A prescribed amount of food or supplies allocated for consumption, especially during a shortage or in a military context
2. Portions of food or provisions set aside for a group or individual, often regulated by necessity or circumstance
3. Supplies distributed in fixed amounts for nourishment or sustenance, typically under conditions of scarcity or specific management

Etymology: "Rations" is the plural of "ration", which came into English from French "ration", itself borrowed from Latin "ratio". That same Latin root gave English "reason", so the two words are doublets: one entered English through French in its general sense of a share or portion, while the other was taken directly from Latin and kept its sense of calculation and judgment. The underlying idea is a fixed share, something calculated out and allotted. The sense of a measured portion of food for soldiers or others in scarce conditions grew out of that notion of an apportioned share. What began as a matter of counting and dividing eventually became the everyday word for supplies handed out in set amounts.

Synonyms: portions, shares

Antonyms: surpluses