Category:Pittance

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.