Crossword clues for rationing
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"restriction to limited allotments," 1865, verbal noun from ration (v.). Specifically of restrictions during wartime from 1917, from conditions in England during World War I.
Wiktionary
n. 1 A ration. 2 Controlled distribution of scarce resources such as food or fuel; used typically in wartime. vb. (present participle of ration English)
WordNet
n. the act of rationing; "during the war the government imposed rationing of food and gasoline"
Wikipedia
Rationing is the controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, or services, or an artificial restriction of demand. Rationing controls the size of the ration, which is one's allowed portion of the resources being distributed on a particular day or at a particular time.
Rationing is often done to keep price below the equilibrium ( market-clearing) price determined by the process of supply and demand in an unfettered market. Thus, rationing can be complementary to price controls. An example of rationing in the face of rising prices took place in the various countries where there was rationing of gasoline during the 1973 energy crisis.
A reason for setting the price lower than would clear the market may be that there is a shortage, which would drive the market price very high. High prices, especially in the case of necessities, are undesirable with regard to those who cannot afford them. Traditionalist economists argue, however, that high prices act to reduce waste of the scarce resource while also providing incentive to produce more.
Rationing using ration stamps is only one kind of non-price rationing. For example, scarce products can be rationed using queues. This is seen, for example, at amusement parks, where one pays a price to get in and then need not pay any price to go on the rides. Similarly, in the absence of road pricing, access to roads is rationed in a first come, first served queueing process, leading to congestion.
Authorities which introduce rationing often have to deal with the rationed goods being sold illegally on the black market.
Rationing is a 1944 film starring Wallace Beery and featuring Marjorie Main. The screen comedy was directed by Willis Goldbeck.
Usage examples of "rationing".
Rationing is obviously still in effect at Pantiles because after my first cup I am firmly told by Mrs Delaney that that is my lot.
From the viewpoint of a rationing system a middleman who distributes the product in violation and disregard of the prescribed quotas is an inefficient and wasteful conduct.