dole

1 [dohl] noun, verb, doled, dol·ing.
noun
1.
a portion or allotment of money, food, etc., especially as given at regular intervals by a charity or for maintenance.
2.
a dealing out or distributing, especially in charity.
3.
a form of payment to the unemployed instituted by the British government in 1918.
4.
any similar payment by a government to an unemployed person.
5.
Archaic. one's fate or destiny.
verb (used with object)
6.
to distribute in charity.
7.
to give out sparingly or in small quantities (usually followed by out ): The last of the water was doled out to the thirsty crew.
00:10
Dole is one of our favorite verbs.
So is peculate. Does it mean:
to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle.
to run away hurriedly; flee.
8.
on the dole, receiving payment from the government, as relief: They couldn't afford any luxuries while living on the dole.

Origin:
before 1000; Middle English dol, Old English gedāl sharing; cf. deal1


1. share, pittance. 7. ration.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

dole

2 [dohl]
noun Archaic.
grief or sorrow; lamentation.

Origin:
1200–50; Middle English do(e)l < Anglo-French, Old French < Late Latin dolus, for Latin dolor dolor

Dole

[dohl]
noun
1.
Robert J(oseph) born 1923, U.S. politician: senator 1969–96.
2.
Sanford Ballard, 1844–1926, U.S. politician and jurist in Hawaii: president of Republic of Hawaii 1894–98; first territorial governor 1900–03.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary
dole1 (dəʊl) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
1.  a small portion or share, as of money or food, given to a poor person
2.  the act of giving or distributing such portions
3.  informal (Brit) the dole money received from the state while out of work
4.  informal (Brit) on the dole receiving such money
5.  archaic fate
 
vb (usually foll by out)
6.  to distribute, esp in small portions
 
[Old English dāl share; related to Old Saxon dēl, Old Norse deild, Gothic dails, Old High German teil; see deal1]

dole2 (dəʊl) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n
archaic grief or mourning
 
[C13: from Old French, from Late Latin dolus, from Latin dolēre to lament]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

dole
O.E. dal "sharing, giving out," shortened from gedal "portion," related to dæl "deal," from P.Gmc. *dailiz. Meaning of "charitable portion" (mid-14c.) led to verb "hand out charity" (mid-15c.). On the dole is 1920s. Related: Doled; doling.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Of course, not every family can afford to dole out a weekly allowance.
The overwhelming reason for their moving is to work, usually with an eye to returning home later, not to go on the dole.
And smart people know it costs less to keep someone on the dole than it does to lock them up.
They will feel even less need to ask themselves what would happen if they were
  on the dole.
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