c. 1200, "pious donation to a religious house or order to provide extra food; the extra food provided," also "a small portion, scanty rations," from Old French pitance "pity, mercy, compassion; refreshment, nourishment; portion of food allowed a monk or poor person by a pious bequest," apparently literally "pity," from pitié (see pity). Meaning "small amount, portion" first recorded 1560s.
中文解释
1. pittance (原指出家人的口粮，一般由别人出于pity而捐赠)。
实用例句
1. to pay sb a pittance
付给某人菲薄的工资来自《权威词典》
2. Her secretaries work tirelessly for a pittance.
她的秘书们为一点微薄的工资不知疲倦地工作。来自辞典例句
3. The widow must live on her slender pittance.
那寡妇只能靠自己微薄的收入过活.来自辞典例句
4. Neither set of lenders was paid more than a pittance.
所有的债权人谁都不比谁多得到一个子儿.来自互联网
5. You sold your people for a pittance, gaining nothing from their sale.
