Main Entry: ¹dole

Pronunciation: \ˈdōl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English dāl portion — more at deal

Date: before 12th century

1 archaic : one's allotted share, portion, or destiny
2 a (1) : a giving or distribution of food, money, or clothing to the needy (2) : a grant of government funds to the unemployed b : something distributed at intervals to the needy; also : handout 1 c : something portioned out bit by bit