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

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See Synonym Discussion at distribute

Rhymes with DISPENSE

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