from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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2. Relating to, or securing, proportion. --Hutton.
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3. (Math.) Constituting a proportion; having the same, or a
constant, ratio; as, proportional quantities; momentum is
proportional to quantity of matter.
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{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.
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