[ noun ] the act of distributing by allotting or apportioning; distribution according to a plan <noun.act> the apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives is based on the relative population of each state
Parcel \Par"cel\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Parceled}or {Parcelled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Parceling} or {Parcelling}.] 1. To divide and distribute by parts or portions; -- often with out or into. ``Their woes are parceled, mine are general.'' --Shak.
These ghostly kings would parcel out my power. --Dryden.
The broad woodland parceled into farms. --Tennyson.
2. To add a parcel or item to; to itemize. [R.]
That mine own servant should Parcel the sum of my disgraces by Addition of his envy. --Shak.
3. To make up into a parcel; as, to parcel a customer's purchases; the machine parcels yarn, wool, etc.
{To parcel a rope} (Naut.), to wind strips of tarred canvas tightly arround it. --Totten.
{To parcel a seam} (Naut.), to cover it with a strip of tarred canvas.
Parceling \Par"cel*ing\, n. [Written also parcelling.] 1. The act of dividing and distributing in portions or parts.
2. (Naut.) Long, narrow slips of canvas daubed with tar and wound about a rope like a bandage, before it is served; used, also, in mousing on the stayes, etc.
The Agriculture Department agency is in charge of parceling out aid under the program President Reagan signed into law on Aug. 11 to offset losses among farmers from a drought that reduced the U.S. harvest an estimated 31 percent.