Hypertext Webster Gateway: "pittance"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Pittance \Pit"tance\ (p[i^]t"tans), n. [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, quantity, or allowance; an
inconsiderable salary or compensation. ``The small
pittance of learning they received.'' --Swift.

The inconsiderable pittance of faithful professors.
--Fuller.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

pittance
n : an inadequate payment; "they work all day for a mere
pittance"

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