1. a member of the clergy who receives a share or portion of the revenues of a cathedral or collegiate church
Usage: archaic; chiefly British ecclesiastical
2. a person who divides or distributes something into portions
Usage: rare

Examples

• The portioner held a canonry at the cathedral and received his annual stipend from the church's endowment.
• In medieval times, portioners were common in large ecclesiastical establishments throughout England.
• The portioner's duties included participating in the choir and attending services.
• Several portioners shared the revenues of the collegiate church equally.