proportionate meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

proportionate

adj

UK /pɹəˈpɔːʃənət/ · US /pɹəˈpɔɹʃənət/

Etymology Borrowed from Latin prōportiōnātus, see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and -ate (verb-forming suffix). By surface analysis, proportion + -ate.

In proportion; proportional; commensurable.

What is proportionate to his transgression.1689 December (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], Two Treatises of Government: […], London: […] Awnsham Churchill, […], →OCLC:
“The UK government’s protective security system is rigorous and proportionate. It is our longstanding policy not to provide detailed information on those arrangements, as doing so could compromise their integrity and affect individuals’ security.”2026 June 28, Josh Halliday, quoting government spokesperson, “Prince Harry may cancel UK family visit after being refused police protection”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

Harmonious and symmetrical.

Derived terms: equiproportionate, improportionate, overproportionate, proportionately, proportionateness

proportionate

verb

Etymology Borrowed from Latin prōportiōnātus, see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and -ate (verb-forming suffix). By surface analysis, proportion + -ate.

To make proportionate.

Derived terms: misproportionate, proportionator
Related terms: apportion