dispensation

American  

[dis-puhn-sey-shuhn, -pen-] / ˌdɪs pənˈseɪ ʃən, -pɛn- /

noun

1. an act or instance of dispensing; distribution.

   Synonyms:

   bestowal, dissemination, dispersion

2. something that is distributed or given out.

3. a certain order, system, or arrangement; administration or management.

4. Theology.

   1. the divine ordering of the affairs of the world.

   2. an appointment, arrangement, or favor, as by God.

   3. a divinely appointed order or age.

      the old Mosaic, or Jewish, dispensation; the new gospel, or Christian, dispensation.

5. a dispensing with, doing away with, or doing without something.

6. Roman Catholic Church.

   1. a relaxation of law in a particular case granted by a competent superior or the superior's delegate in laws that the superior has the power to make and enforce.

      a dispensation regarding the Lenten fast.

   2. an official document authorizing such a relaxation of law.

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dispensation British  

/ ˌdɪspɛnˈseɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of distributing or dispensing

2. something distributed or dispensed

3. a system or plan of administering or dispensing

4. RC Church

   1. permission to dispense with an obligation of church law

   2. the document authorizing such permission

5. any exemption from a rule or obligation

6. Christianity

   1. the ordering of life and events by God

   2. a divine decree affecting an individual or group

   3. a religious system or code of prescriptions for life and conduct regarded as of divine origin

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Other Word Forms

• dispensational
  adjective
• dispensatorily
  adverb
• nondispensation
  noun
• nondispensational
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of dispensation

1325–75; Middle English dispensacioun < Medieval Latin dispēnsātiōn- (stem of dispēnsātiō ) a pardon, relaxation, Late Latin: order, system, divine grace, Latin: distribution, equivalent to dispēnsāt ( us ) (past participle of dispēnsāre to dispense; see -ate ¹) + -iōn- -ion

Explanation

The act of giving or portioning something out is called dispensation. Your teacher will have a hard time with the dispensation of biology textbooks if there aren't enough copies for everyone in the class. The Latin root word of dispensation is dispensare, which means to disburse or administer. Doctors and pharmacists commonly talk about the dispensation of prescription medication. Another meaning of dispensation is an exemption from a rule. Your teacher might give you a dispensation to take the algebra final at a later date if you're sick on the scheduled day, for example.

Example Sentences

Dispensation of birth control pills or skin patches require a state pharmacy license.

From Reuters • Jul. 13, 2011

"All that is true in all religions will stand; by the new Dispensation, new spirit is infused into these teachings."

From Bahaism and Its Claims A Study of the Religion Promulgated by Baha Utlah and Abdul Baha by Wilson, Samuel Graham

I now deliver to you the Dispensation empowering you and your brethren to work as a Regular Lodge.

From Masonic Monitor of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason together with the Ceremony of Installation, Laying Corner Stones, Dedications, Masonic Burial, Etc. by Thornburgh, George

In those two Names, Son of God and Son of Man, declaratory of the two natures of Emmanuel, He separates Himself from the Jewish Dispensation, in which He was born, and inaugurates the New Covenant.

From An Essay In Aid Of A Grammar Of Assent by Newman, John Henry

The only question on which depended his adhering to the Old, or embracing the New Dispensation, was, whether Jesus of Nazareth was or was not the promised Messiah.

From The Essential Faith of the Universal Church Deduced from the Sacred Records by Martineau, Harriet

Related Words

• exemption
• immunity
• reprieve