pittance n : an inadequate payment; "they work all day for a mere pittance"

English

Etymology

From Latin pietantia

Noun

1. A small allowance of food and drink; a scanty meal.
2. A meagre allowance of money or wages.
3. A small amount.

Translations

• Spanish: miseria

Pittance (through French pitance and from Latin pietas, loving kindness) is a gift to the members of a religious house for masses, consisting usually of an extra allowance of food or wine on occasions such as the anniversary of the donor's death festivals and other similar occasions. The word was early transferred to a charitable donation and to any small gift of food or money.

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