Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - allowance

n. & v. --n. 1 an amount or sum allowed to a person, esp. regularly for a stated purpose. 2 an amount allowed in reckoning. 3 a deduction or discount (an allowance on your old cooker). 4 (foll. by of) tolerance of. --v.tr. 1 make an allowance to (a person). 2 supply in limited quantities. Phrases and idioms make allowances (often foll. by for) 1 take into consideration (mitigating circumstances) (made allowances for his demented state). 2 look with tolerance upon, make excuses for (a person, bad behaviour, etc.). Etymology: ME f. OF alouance (as ALLOW)