pittance

UK: /ˈpɪt^əns/ US: /ˈpɪtəns/ ,(pit′ns)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pit•tance /ˈpɪtəns/   n. [countable* usually: a + ~]

1. a small amount, esp. a very small amount of money:
   working for a pittance at that awful job.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pit•tance  (pit′ns), n. 

1. a small amount or share.
2. a small allowance or sum, as of money for living expenses.
3. a scanty income or remuneration.

• Old French pitance, variant of pietance piety, pity, allowance of food (in a monastery). See pity, -ance
• Middle English pitaunce 1175–1225

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

pittance / ˈpɪt^əns/ noun

1. a small amount or portion, esp a meagre allowance of money

Etymology: 16th Century: from Old French pietance ration, ultimately from Latin pietās duty