Definitions for: Dispense


[v] give or apply, as of medications
[v] administer or bestow, as in small portions; "administer critical remarks to everyone present"; "dole out some money"; "shell out pocket money for the children"; "deal a blow to someone"
[v] grant a dispensation; grant an exemption; "I was dispensed from this terrible task"



Webster (1913) Definition: Dis*pense", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dispensed; p. pr. &
vb. n. Dispensing.] [F. dispenser, L. dispensare, intens.
of dispendere. See Dispend.]
1. To deal out in portions; to distribute; to give; as, the
steward dispenses provisions according directions; Nature
dispenses her bounties; to dispense medicines.

He is delighted to dispense a share of it to all the
company. --Sir W.
Scott.

2. To apply, as laws to particular cases; to administer; to
execute; to manage; to direct.

While you dispense the laws, and guide the state.
--Dryden.

3. To pay for; to atone for. [Obs.]

His sin was dispensed With gold, whereof it was
compensed. --Gower.

4. To exempt; to excuse; to absolve; -- with from.

It was resolved that all members of the House who
held commissions, should be dispensed from
parliamentary attendance. --Macaulay.

He appeared to think himself born to be supported by
others, and dispensed from all necessity of
providing for himself. --Johnson.


Dis*pense", v. i.
1. To compensate; to make up; to make amends. [Obs.]

One loving hour For many years of sorrow can
dispense. --Spenser.

2. To give dispensation.

He [the pope] can also dispense in all matters of
ecclesiastical law. --Addis &
Arnold (Cath.
Dict. )

To dispense with.
(a) To permit the neglect or omission of, as a form, a
ceremony, an oath; to suspend the operation of, as a
law; to give up, release, or do without, as services,
attention, etc.; to forego; to part with.
(b) To allow by dispensation; to excuse; to exempt; to
grant dispensation to or for. [Obs.] ``Conniving and
dispensing with open and common adultery.'' --Milton.
(c) To break or go back from, as one's word. [Obs.]
--Richardson.


Dis*pense", n. [Cf. F. dispense dispensation. See
Dispense, v. t.]
Dispensation; exemption. [Obs.]


Dis*pense", n. [OF. despense, F. d['e]pense.]
Expense; profusion; outlay. [Obs.]

It was a vault built for great dispense. --Spenser.

Synonyms: administer, administer, allot, deal, deal out, dish out, distribute, dole out, lot, mete out, parcel out, shell out

See Also: apply, apply, assign, care for, digitalize, dispense with, exempt, foreswear, forgo, free, give, give, inject, portion, reallot, relieve, relinquish, shoot, transfuse, treat, waive

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