pittance

[pit-ns]

noun

1. a small amount or share.

2. a small allowance or sum, as of money for living expenses.

3. a scanty income or remuneration.

pittance

/ ˈpɪtəns /

noun

1. a small amount or portion, esp a meagre allowance of money

Word History and Origins

Origin of pittance¹

1175–1225; Middle English pitaunce < Old French pitance, variant of pietance piety, pity, allowance of food (in a monastery). See pity, -ance

Word History and Origins

Origin of pittance¹

C16: from Old French pietance ration, ultimately from Latin pietās duty

Example Sentences

Spotify has long been criticized by musicians, songwriters and artists’ rights groups, who have accused the company of paying a pittance to most of the working artists whose songs appear on its platform.

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Months later he return to his home region as a member of the British expedition, paid a daily pittance of just a few Nepali rupee coins.

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For years, the Pentagon has procured a pittance of missiles, hovering around the minimum sustainment rate.

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The money was a pittance, she says, adding that she used some of it to buy milk and nappies. 

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Except they are also cutting taxes and their cuts, as usual, will benefit the wealthy much more than the pittance they throw at the feet of the poor and the middle class.

Read more on Salon