dispensatory

[dih-spen-suh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]

noun

plural

dispensatories 

1. a book in which the composition, preparation, and uses of medicinal substances are described; a nonofficial pharmacopoeia.

2. a dispensary.

dispensatory

/ dɪˈspɛnsətərɪ, -trɪ /

noun

1. a book listing the composition, preparation, and application of various drugs

adjective

1. of or involving dispensation

Word History and Origins

Origin of dispensatory¹

1560–70; < Medieval Latin dispēnsātōrium, Late Latin dispēnsātōrius of management, equivalent to Latin dispēnsā ( re ) ( dispense ) + -tōrium -tory ²

Example Sentences

Adventurous 18th-century Brits sipped a sophisticated mint julep found in the 1753 edition of William Lewis' New English Dispensatory.

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The recipe is given as late as 1739, in Dr. Quincey’s “English Dispensatory,” published by Thomas Longman, at the Ship in Paternoster Row.

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There are about 11,000 remedies mentioned in the 15th edition of the "United States Dispensatory," by reference to which it will be seen that each affliction to which flesh is heir must be more than well drugged.

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Catholicon, is little used, or made here, the lenitive Electuary of our Dispensatory may be substituted for it, or that of the Edinburgh Dispensatory, which was calculated particularly for Glysters.

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The lying old Dispensatory of Culpepper gave a rule to mix the ashes of Southernwood with "Old Sallet Oyl" which "helpeth those that are hair-fallen and bald."

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