percentage
UK: pəˈsɛntɪdʒ | US: pərˈsɛntɪdʒ
n. a rate, number, or amount in each hundred
n. a proportion or share in relation to a whole
n. (informal) an advantage or benefit
The word "percentage" derives from the Latin per centum ("by the hundred"), combining per ("by") and centum ("hundred"). The morpheme percent was borrowed into English via Italian per cento and French pour cent, retaining its original meaning of division by 100. The suffix -age (from Old French -age, indicating a related action or result) transforms it into a noun denoting the concept itself. This reflects the logical progression from a prepositional phrase (per centum) to a standalone mathematical term.
The percentage of students passing the exam rose to 85%.
She calculated the percentage increase in sales over the quarter.
A large percentage of the budget is allocated to research.
There’s no percentage in arguing with stubborn people.
The pie chart shows the percentage distribution of energy sources.