Main Entry:

dis·pense

Pronunciation:

\di-ˈspen(t)s\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

dis·pensed; dis·pens·ing

Etymology:

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

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1 a: to deal out in portions b: administer <dispense justice>2: to give dispensation to : exempt3: to prepare and distribute (medication)intransitive verbarchaic : to grant dispensation

synonyms see distribute

— dispense with

1: to set aside : discard <dispensing with the usual introduction>2: to do without <could dispense with such a large staff>