Webster's English Dictionary

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allowance

1. al.low.ance \*-'lau.-*n(t)s\ n 1a: a share or portion allotted or 
   granted  1b: a sum granted as a reimbursement or bounty or for expenses  2: 
   HANDICAP  3: an allowed dimensional difference between mating parts of a 
   machine  4: the act of allowing : PERMISSION  5: the taking into account of 
   mitigating circumstances or contingencies 
2. allowance vt 1: to put upon a fixed allowance  2: to supply in a fixed 
   or regular quantity