dispense

American  

[dih-spens] / dɪˈspɛns /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Usage

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

Related Words

See distribute.

Other Word Forms

• undispensed adjective

Etymology

Origin of dispense

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

Example Sentences

Spoken-word post-punk works best when the band surrounding the vocalist has an acute feel for melody—without a singer dispensing catchy musical phrases, the instrumentalists have to pick up the slack.

From The Wall Street Journal

The “coffee-machine story” was a recounting of the finicky 1970s coin-operated coffee machine in his office that often malfunctioned and dispensed its entire contents from one coin.

From The Wall Street Journal

Don’t Futurism, Mr. Foster writes, “exists to dispense warnings, highlight issues, and point out consequences, which often makes it an unwelcome guest in communities built on optimism, positivity, and forward momentum.”

From The Wall Street Journal

The Journal’s analysis counted as excess only dispensed prescription drugs that exceeded a month’s supply over up to three years’ worth of prescriptions.

From The Wall Street Journal

Veterinarians dispense it to calm or treat pain in cats and dogs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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