dole
1[ dohl ]
/ doʊl /
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noun
verb (used with object), doled, dol·ing.
to distribute in charity.
to give out sparingly or in small quantities (usually followed by out): The last of the water was doled out to the thirsty crew.
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Idioms about dole
on the dole, receiving payment from the government, as relief: They couldn't afford any luxuries while living on the dole.
Origin of dole
1First recorded before 1000; Middle English dol, dal “part, subdivision,” Old English dāl, gedāl “sharing”; see origin at deal1
Other definitions for dole (2 of 3)
dole2
[ dohl ]
/ doʊl /
noun Archaic.
grief or sorrow; lamentation.
Origin of dole
2First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English dol, dol(e), doll from Old French duel, doel, from Late Latin dolus, for Latin dolor dolor
Other definitions for dole (3 of 3)
Dole
[ dohl ]
/ doʊl /
noun
Robert J(oseph), 1923–2021, U.S. politician: senator 1969–96.
Sanford Ballard, 1844–1926, U.S. politician and jurist in Hawaii: president of Republic of Hawaii 1894–98; first territorial governor 1900–03.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use dole in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for dole (1 of 2)
dole1
/ (dəʊl) /
noun
a small portion or share, as of money or food, given to a poor person
the act of giving or distributing such portions
the dole British informal money received from the state while out of work
on the dole British informal receiving such money
archaic fate
verb
(tr usually foll by out) to distribute, esp in small portions
Word Origin for dole
Old English dāl share; related to Old Saxon dēl, Old Norse deild, Gothic dails, Old High German teil; see deal 1
British Dictionary definitions for dole (2 of 2)
dole2
/ (dəʊl) /
noun
archaic grief or mourning
Word Origin for dole
C13: from Old French, from Late Latin dolus, from Latin dolēre to lament
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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