PIT'TANCE, noun [The word signifies primarily, a portion of food allowed to a monk. The Spanish has pitar, to distribute allowances of meat, and pitancero, a person who distributes allowances, or a friar who lives on charity.] 1. An allowance of meat in a monastery. 2. A very small portion allowed or assigned. 3. A very small quantity.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI