pittance
UK[ˈpɪt(ə)ns]US[ˈpɪtns]
n
a very small or inadequate amount of money paid to someone as an allowance or wage.
n
a small amount or share of something.
Etymology
the word "pittance" entered english in the 13th century from old french "pitance," meaning a pious donation or an allowance of food. the old french term derived from medieval latin "pietantia," which itself came from latin "pietas," meaning piety or dutiful conduct. the semantic journey reflects how a charitable gift, often a small portion of food given to monks or the poor out of piety, came to signify any meager or insufficient allowance. the core logic connects the concept of a small, charitable offering (rooted in piety) to its modern meaning of a woefully small amount.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword. it does not contain separable morphemes in modern english spelling.
Examples
he works long hours for a mere pittance.
the inheritance was a pittance compared to what she had expected.
only a pittance of the budget was allocated to environmental protection.