To divide something into shares and distribute it fairly among people or groups.
From Old French apportionner, from à + portion. The word entered Middle English from Norman French and originally meant to allot or parcel out in proper shares.
When governments apportion money, land, or voting power, they're making deep decisions about fairness—which is why apportionment battles (like over legislative districts) can be incredibly contentious and define political power for a decade.
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