| / English Dictionary |
PROPORTIONAL
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
One of the quantities in a mathematical proportion
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("proportional" is a kind of...):
quantity (the concept that something has a magnitude and can be represented in mathematical expressions by a constant or a variable)
Holonyms ("proportional" is a part of...):
proportion (the quotient obtained when the magnitude of a part is divided by the magnitude of the whole)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Properly related in size or degree or other measurable characteristics; usually followed by 'to'
Example:
earnings relative to production
Synonyms:
proportional; relative
Classified under:
Similar:
proportionate (being in due proportion)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Having a constant ratio
Classified under:
Similar:
proportionate (being in due proportion)
Derivation:
proportionality (a ratio of two quantities that is constant)
Context examples:
The degree of opacity produced by iothalamate meglumine is directly proportional to the total amount of the iodinated contrast agent in the path of the x-rays.
(Iothalamate Meglumine, NCI Thesaurus)
While either the enzyme or the antibody is bound to an immunosorbent substrate, they both retain their biologic activity; the change in enzyme activity as a result of the enzyme-antibody-antigen reaction is proportional to the concentration of the antigen and can be measured spectrophotometrically or with the naked eye.
(ELISA, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)
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