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dispense
9 dictionary results for: Dispense
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
dis·pense 
[di-spens] Pronunciation Key verb, -pensed, -pens·ing, noun
[di-spens] Pronunciation Key verb, -pensed, -pens·ing, noun –verb (used with object)
–verb (used without object)
–noun
—Verb phrase
| 1. | to deal out; distribute: to dispense wisdom. |
| 2. | to administer: to dispense the law without bias. |
| 3. | Pharmacology. to make up and distribute (medicine), esp. on prescription. |
| 4. | Roman Catholic Church. to grant dispensation. |
| 5. | to grant dispensation. |
| 6. | Obsolete. expenditure. |
| 7. | dispense with,
|
[Origin: 1275–1325; ME dispensen < ML dispénsāre to pardon, exempt, L: to pay out, distribute, equiv. to dis- dis-1 + pénsāre, freq. of pendere to weigh]
]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| dis·pense
(dĭ-spěns') Pronunciation Key
v. dis·pensed, dis·pens·ing, dis·pens·es v. tr.
v. intr. To grant a dispensation or exemption. Phrasal Verb(s): dispense with
[Middle English dispensen, from Old French dispenser, from Latin dispēnsāre, to distribute, frequentative of dispendere, to weigh out : dis-, out; see dis- + pendere, to weigh; see (s)pen- in Indo-European roots.] |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
dispense
dispense
c.1320, from O.Fr. dispenser "give out," from L. dispensare "disburse, administer, distribute (by weight)," freq. of dispendere "pay out," from dis- "out" + pendere "to pay, weigh" (see pendant). In M.L., dispendere was used in the ecclesiastical sense of "grant license to do what is forbidden or omit what is required" (a power of popes, bishops, etc.), and thus acquired a sense of "grant remission from punishment or exemption from law," which led to the Mod.Eng. meaning. Older sense is preserved in dispensary (1699) "place for weighing out medicines," Theological sense is from being used to translate Gk. oikonomoia "office, method of administration." Dispensation is from c.1374.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| dispense | |
verb | |
| 1. | administer or bestow, as in small portions; "administer critical remarks to everyone present"; "dole out some money"; "shell out pocket money for the children"; "deal a blow to someone"; "the machine dispenses soft drinks" |
| 2. | grant a dispensation; grant an exemption; "I was dispensed from this terrible task" |
| 3. | give or apply (medications) [syn: administer] |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
dispense dis·pense (dĭ-spěns')
v. dis·pensed, dis·pens·ing, dis·pens·es
To prepare and give out medicines.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Dispense
Dis*pense"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dispensed; p. pr. & vb. n. Dispensing.] [F. dispenser, L. dispensare, intens. of dispendere. See Dispend.]1. To deal out in portions; to distribute; to give; as, the steward dispenses provisions according directions; Nature dispenses her bounties; to dispense medicines. He is delighted to dispense a share of it to all the company. --Sir W. Scott. 2. To apply, as laws to particular cases; to administer; to execute; to manage; to direct. While you dispense the laws, and guide the state. --Dryden. 3. To pay for; to atone for. [Obs.] His sin was dispensed With gold, whereof it was compensed. --Gower. 4. To exempt; to excuse; to absolve; -- with from. It was resolved that all members of the House who held commissions, should be dispensed from parliamentary attendance. --Macaulay. He appeared to think himself born to be supported by others, and dispensed from all necessity of providing for himself. --Johnson.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Dispense
Dis*pense"\, v. i. 1. To compensate; to make up; to make amends. [Obs.] One loving hour For many years of sorrow can dispense. --Spenser. 2. To give dispensation. He [the pope] can also dispense in all matters of ecclesiastical law. --Addis & Arnold (Cath. Dict. ) To dispense with. (a) To permit the neglect or omission of, as a form, a ceremony, an oath; to suspend the operation of, as a law; to give up, release, or do without, as services, attention, etc.; to forego; to part with. (b) To allow by dispensation; to excuse; to exempt; to grant dispensation to or for. [Obs.] "Conniving and dispensing with open and common adultery." --Milton. (c) To break or go back from, as one's word. [Obs.] --Richardson.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Dispense
Dis*pense"\, n. [Cf. F. dispense dispensation. See Dispense, v. t.] Dispensation; exemption. [Obs.]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Dispense
Dis*pense"\, n. [OF. despense, F. d['e]pense.] Expense; profusion; outlay. [Obs.] It was a vault built for great dispense. --Spenser.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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