/di spens"/ , v. , dispensed, dispensing , n.
v.t.
1. to deal out; distribute: to dispense wisdom.
2. to administer: to dispense the law without bias.
3. Pharm. to make up and distribute (medicine), esp. on prescription.
4. Rom. Cath. Ch. to grant dispensation.
v.i.
5. to grant dispensation.
6. dispense with ,
a. to do without; forgo: to dispense with preliminaries.
b. to do away with; rid of.
c. to grant exemption from a law or promise.
n.
7. Obs. expenditure.
[ 1275-1325; ME dispensen dispensare to pardon, exempt, L: to pay out, distribute, equiv. to dis- DIS- 1 + pensare, freq. of pendere to weigh ]
Syn. 1. apportion, allot, dole. See distribute .