dispense

[ dih-spens ]

verb (used with object)

, dis·pensed, dis·pens·ing.

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)

, dis·pensed, dis·pens·ing.

1. to grant dispensation.

noun

1. Obsolete. expenditure.

verb phrase

1. 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. intrfoll bywith 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 Words From

• undis·pensed 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

Bartenders need only pour in the ingredients and pull the handle, dispensing the sweet, frothed-up martinis in a mere 20 seconds.

From Salon

Turns out, an intermittent schedule of reinforcement — occasional pellets of counterfeit love dispensed like unpredictable manna — proves most effective to keep us pressing.

From Salon

But when the composer and instrumentalist Tyshawn Sorey set out to write one for saxophone and orchestra several years ago, he quickly dispensed with convention.

From New York Times

For three years starting when he was just 12 years old, Devon Werkheiser dispensed advice for bearing the indignities of middle school as the title character in the Nickelodeon series “Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide.”

From New York Times

Butting one fragment of skin, makeup, hair and headgear up against another, Sherman dispenses with the capacity of Photoshop to smooth out edges.

From New York Times

Related Words

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