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pittance (n.)
c. 1200, pitaunce, "pious donation to a religious house or order to provide extra food; the extra food provided," also "a small portion, scanty rations," from Old French pitance "pity, mercy, compassion; refreshment, nourishment; portion of food allowed a monk or poor person by a pious bequest," apparently literally "pity," from the source pity. Perhaps via Medieval Latin *pietantia, from an assumed verb *pietare, or otherwise derived from Latin pietas. Meaning "small amount, portion, or quantity" is attested by 1560s.
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Definitions of pittance from WordNet
Dictionary entries near pittance
pitiless
Pitman
piton
pits
pit-saw
pittance
pitter
pitter-patter
Pittsburgh
pituitary
pit-viper