Main Entry:

dis·trib·ute

Pronunciation:

\di-ˈstri-byüt also -byət British also ˈdis-tri-ˌbyüt\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

dis·trib·ut·ed; dis·trib·ut·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Latin distributus, past participle of distribuere, from dis- + tribuere to allot — more at tribute

Date:

15th century

transitive verb1: to divide among several or many : apportion <distribute expenses>2 a: to spread out so as to cover something : scatter b: to give out or deliver especially to members of a group <distribute newspapers> <distribute leaflets> c: to place or position so as to be properly apportioned over or throughout an area <200 pounds distributed on a 6-foot frame> d: to use (a term) so as to convey information about every member of the class named <the proposition “all men are mortal” distributes “man” but not “mortal”>3 a: to divide or separate especially into kinds b: to return the units of (as typeset matter) to storage4: to use in or as an operation so as to be mathematically distributiveintransitive verb: to be mathematically distributive <multiplication distributes over addition>

— dis·trib·u·tee \dis-ˌtri-byü-ˈtē\ noun

synonyms distribute, dispense, divide, deal, dole out mean to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group. distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts <distributed food to the needy>. dispense suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to due or need <dispensed wisdom to the students>. divide stresses the separation of a whole into parts and implies that the parts are equal <three charitable groups divided the proceeds>. deal emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece <deal out equipment and supplies>. dole out implies a carefully measured portion of something that is often in short supply <doled out what little food there was>.