'Proportional' definitions:

Definition of 'proportional'

From: WordNet
adjective
Properly related in size or degree or other measurable characteristics; usually followed by `to'; "the punishment ought to be proportional to the crime"; "earnings relative to production" [syn: proportional, relative]
adjective
Having a constant ratio
noun
One of the quantities in a mathematical proportion

Definition of 'Proportional'

From: GCIDE
  • Proportional \Pro*por"tion*al\, n.
  • 1. (Math.) Any number or quantity in a proportion; as, a mean proportional. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Chem.) The combining weight or equivalent of an element. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Proportional'

From: GCIDE
  • Proportional \Pro*por"tion*al\, a. [L. proportionalis: cf. F. proportionnel.]
  • 1. Having a due proportion, or comparative relation; being in suitable proportion or degree; as, the parts of an edifice are proportional. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Relating to, or securing, proportion. --Hutton. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Math.) Constituting a proportion; having the same, or a constant, ratio; as, proportional quantities; momentum is proportional to quantity of matter. [1913 Webster]
  • Proportional logarithms, logistic logarithms. See under Logistic.
  • Proportional scale, a scale on which are marked parts proportional to the logarithms of the natural numbers; a logarithmic scale.
  • Proportional scales, compasses, dividers, etc. (Draughting), instruments used in making copies of drawings, or drawings of objects, on an enlarged or reduced scale. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Proportional'

From: GCIDE
  • Proportional \Pro*por"tion*al\, a. [L. proportionalis: cf. F. proportionnel.]
  • 1. Having a due proportion, or comparative relation; being in suitable proportion or degree; as, the parts of an edifice are proportional. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Relating to, or securing, proportion. --Hutton. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Math.) Constituting a proportion; having the same, or a constant, ratio; as, proportional quantities; momentum is proportional to quantity of matter. [1913 Webster]
  • Proportional logarithms, logistic logarithms. See under Logistic.
  • Proportional scale, a scale on which are marked parts proportional to the logarithms of the natural numbers; a logarithmic scale.
  • Proportional scales, compasses, dividers, etc. (Draughting), instruments used in making copies of drawings, or drawings of objects, on an enlarged or reduced scale. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Proportional'

From: GCIDE
  • Compasses \Com"pass*es\, n., pl. An instrument for describing circles, measuring figures, etc., consisting of two, or (rarely) more, pointed branches, or legs, usually joined at the top by a rivet on which they move. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The compasses for drawing circles have adjustable pen points, pencil points, etc.; those used for measuring without adjustable points are generally called dividers. See Dividers. [1913 Webster]
  • Bow compasses. See Bow-compass.
  • Caliber compasses, Caliper compasses. See Calipers.
  • Proportional, Triangular, etc., compasses. See under Proportional, etc. [1913 Webster]