dole

¹

[ dohl ]

noun

1. a portion or allotment of money, food, etc., especially as given at regular intervals by a charity or for maintenance.

   Synonyms: pittance, share, alms

2. a dealing out or distributing, especially in charity.
3. a form of payment to the unemployed instituted by the British government in 1918.
4. any similar payment by a government to an unemployed person.
5. Archaic. one's fate or destiny.

verb (used with object)

, doled, dol·ing.

1. to distribute in charity.
2. to give out sparingly or in small quantities (usually followed by out ):

   The last of the water was doled out to the thirsty crew.

   Synonyms: ration, mete

dole

²

[ dohl ]

noun

, Archaic.

1. grief or sorrow; lamentation.

Dole

³

[ dohl ]

noun

1. Robert J(oseph), 1923–2021, U.S. politician: senator 1969–96.
2. Sanford Ballard, 1844–1926, U.S. politician and jurist in Hawaii: president of Republic of Hawaii 1894–98; first territorial governor 1900–03.

dole

¹

/ dəʊl /

noun

1. archaic.
   grief or mourning

dole

²

/ dəʊl /

noun

1. a small portion or share, as of money or food, given to a poor person
2. the act of giving or distributing such portions
3. the dole informal.
   money received from the state while out of work
4. on the dole informal.
   receiving such money
5. archaic.
   fate

verb

1. trusually foll byout to distribute, esp in small portions

Word History and Origins

Origin of dole¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English dol, dal “part, subdivision,” Old English dāl, gedāl “sharing”; deal ¹

Origin of dole²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English dol, dol(e), doll from Old French duel, doel, from Late Latin dolus, for Latin dolor dolor

Word History and Origins

Origin of dole¹

C13: from Old French, from Late Latin dolus, from Latin dolēre to lament

Origin of dole²

Old English dāl share; related to Old Saxon dēl, Old Norse deild, Gothic dails, Old High German teil; see deal ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the dole, receiving payment from the government, as relief:

   They couldn't afford any luxuries while living on the dole.

Example Sentences

Clinica Sierra Vista workers routinely head there to find their clients and dole out medications to those suffering from terminal illnesses.

From Los Angeles Times

So far, the two have been doling out ULA exemptions to those who qualify.

From Los Angeles Times

The IRA and the bipartisan infrastructure law, another key climate-related law, are entering crucial phases for their implementation, particularly the doling out of billions of dollars for clean energy, environmental justice, and climate resiliency.

From Salon

America PAC is now doling out $1m a day until election day to one random voter - no matter their party affiliation - provided they have registered to vote and sign a petition.

From BBC

Shortly after, the singers began doling out their individual tributes.

From Los Angeles Times