dispense

verb dis·pense \di-ˈspen(t)s\

: to give or provide (something)

: to prepare and give (medicine)

dis·penseddis·pens·ing

Full Definition of DISPENSE

transitive verb

a : to deal out in portions

b : administer <dispense justice>

: to give dispensation to : exempt

: to prepare and distribute (medication)

intransitive verb

archaic : to grant dispensation

— dispense with

: to set aside : discard <dispensing with the usual introduction>

: to do without <could dispense with such a large staff>

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Origin of DISPENSE

Middle English, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin dispensare to exempt, from Latin, to distribute, from dis- + pensare to weigh, frequentative of pendere to weigh, pay out — more at spin

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DISPENSE

Synonyms: allocate, apportion, deal (out), administer, distribute, dole out, hand out, mete (out), parcel (out), portion, prorate

Antonyms: misallocate

Synonym Discussion of DISPENSE

distribute, dispense, divide, deal, dole out mean to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group. distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts <distributed food to the needy>. dispense suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to due or need <dispensed wisdom to the students>. divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal <three charitable groups divided the proceeds>. deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece <deal out equipment and supplies>. dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply <doled out what little food there was>.