dispense

dis·pense

verb \di-ˈspen(t)s\

dis·penseddis·pens·ing

Definition of DISPENSE

transitive verb

1

a : to deal out in portions

b : administer <dispense justice>

2

: to give dispensation to : exempt

3

: to prepare and distribute (medication)

intransitive verb

archaic : to grant dispensation

— dispense with

1

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

2

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

Examples of DISPENSE

1. The ATM only dispenses $20 bills.
2. a newspaper columnist who dispenses advice to millions of readers each week
3. Pharmacists are certified to dispense medication.

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

Related Words

admeasure, allot, allow, appropriate, assign, dish out, divide, divvy (up), dollop (out), lot, measure (out), part, proportion, ration, redistribute, set, share (out), split; bestow, disburse, furnish, issue, provide, share, supply; circulate, disperse, disseminate, scatter, spread; chip in, contribute, donate, pledge; reallocate, reapportion

Near Antonyms

begrudge, decline, deny, deprive (of), disallow, refuse, reject, withhold; niggle (out), pinch, skimp, stint

See Synonym Discussion at distribute

Rhymes with DISPENSE

defense, expense, horse sense, incense, nonsense, past tense, sequence, sixth sense

dis·pense

transitive verb \dis-ˈpen(t)s\   (Medical Dictionary)

dis·pensed; dis·pens·ing

Medical Definition of DISPENSE

1

: to put up (a prescription or medicine)

2

: to prepare and distribute (medication)