Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PIT'TANCE, n. [Fr. pitance; It. pietanza; Port. pitânça.]

1. 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.]
2. An allowance of meat in a monastery.
3. A very small portion allowed or assigned. – Shak.
4. A very small quantity. – Arbuthnot.