1.
1.
[syn: proportional, relative]
2. having a constant ratio;
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
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]
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.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
proportional
adj 1: 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]
2: having a constant ratio
n 1: one of the quantities in a mathematical proportion
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:
68 Moby Thesaurus words for "proportional":
3-D, affinitive, analogical, analogous, appertaining, associative,
balanced, commensurable, commensurate, comparable, comparative,
compatible, congenial, connective, consistent, contingent,
correlated, correlative, corresponding, cubic, dependent,
dimensional, distributional, distributive, en rapport, equal,
even stephen, fifty-fifty, flat, fourth-dimensional, half,
half-and-half, halvers, harmonious, in accordance with, linking,
particular, per capita, per head, pertaining, pertinent, pro rata,
proportionable, proportionate, proportioned, prorated, reciprocal,
referable, referring, related, relating, relational, relative,
respective, several, space, space-time, spatial, spatiotemporal,
spherical, stereoscopic, superficial, surface, symmetrical,
sympathetic, three-dimensional, two-dimensional, volumetric