a book entitling its
holder to a ration (an allowance,
share, portion of provisions or other supplies); especially an officially
limited allowance for civilians in
time of
war or shortage. His
deed of
title today is a ration book, a regimentation which tells him where he can
work, how he can
work, why he should
work at that
job - something that you, as an
American, would think was absolutely impossible.
- The Auditor's Public (23 Aug. 55) n. a book containing coupons that entitle the
holder to a ration. A ration is an allotment, allowance or
share, determined by
supply; a
fixed daily portion or
share of provisions, food, etc., especially for civilians, sailors or soldiers during
times of shortage or
war. During a
war, scarce
items (such as sugar, and gasoline which is needed to carry on the
war itself) are rationed to ensure that the people in a country are able to get those
items they actually need and so that they are fairly distributed and not wasted. To do this, a
government will
issue coupon books to each household which allows that household a certain amount of the rationed
item. This
type of rationing was used in the United
States and in several other countries during and
following World War II (1939–1945).
a book entitling its
holder to a ration (an allowance,
share, portion of provisions or other supplies); especially an officially
limited allowance for civilians in
time of
war or shortage.