dispense

[dih-spens]

verb (used with object)

dispensed, dispensing 

1. to deal out; distribute.

   to dispense wisdom.

   Synonyms: dole, allot, apportion

2. to administer.

   to dispense the law without bias.

3. Pharmacology.,  to make up and distribute (medicine), especially on prescription.

4. Roman Catholic Church.,  to grant dispensation.

verb (used without object)

dispensed, dispensing 

1. to grant dispensation.

noun

1. Obsolete.,  expenditure.

verb phrase

1. dispense with

   1. to do without; forgo.

      to dispense with preliminaries.

   2. to do away with; rid of.

   3. to grant exemption from a law or promise.

dispense

/ dɪˈspɛns /

verb

1. (tr) to give out or issue in portions

2. (tr) to prepare and distribute (medicine), esp on prescription

3. (tr) to administer (the law, etc)

4. to do away (with) or manage (without)

5. to grant a dispensation to (someone) from (some obligation of church law)

6. to exempt or excuse from a rule or obligation

Usage

Dispense with is sometimes wrongly used where dispose of is meant: this task can be disposed of (not dispensed with ) quickly and easily

Other Word Forms

• undispensed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dispense¹

1275–1325; Middle English dispensen < Medieval Latin dispēnsāre to pardon, exempt, Latin: to pay out, distribute, equivalent to dis- dis- ¹ + pēnsāre, frequentative of pendere to weigh

Word History and Origins

Origin of dispense¹

C14: from Medieval Latin dispensāre to pardon, from Latin dispendere to weigh out, from _dis- ¹ + pendere to weigh

Synonym Study

See distribute.

Example Sentences

For preschool-age kids, the drugs are often dispensed against pediatric guidelines, which call first for behavioral therapy, a treatment that can be hard to get.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The thought of little Cassiopeia in a white wig and judge’s robes, dispensing justice with the fair, firm confidence of a true Swanburne girl, made Penelope grin from ear to ear.

Read more on Literature

Over the first 10 years, MBS dispensed “giga” projects involving large-scale developments to diversify the kingdom off oil as if he were Santa Claus.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The willingness of a Wall Street investment bank to pay me hundreds of thousands of dollars to dispense investment advice to grown-ups remains a mystery to me to this day.

Read more on Literature

Customers are increasingly being lured by brands like TimberTech, which dispense with wood altogether in favor of polyvinyl chloride patterned to resemble mahogany, teak, or hickory.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• allocate 
• allot 
• disburse 
• distribute 
• furnish 
• give away 
• hand out