pittance Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an inadequate payment
    • they work all day for a mere pittance

WordNet

Pit"tance noun
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  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, quality, or allowance; an inconsiderable salary or compensation. "The small pittance of learning they received." Swift.
    The inconsiderable pittance of faithful professors. Fuller.

Webster 1913