v. 1 tr. distribute; deal out. 2 tr. administer (a sacrament, justice, etc.). 3 tr. make up and give out (medicine etc.) according to a doctor's prescription. 4 tr. (usu. foll. by from) grant a dispensation to (a person) from an obligation, esp. a religious observance. 5 intr. (foll. by with) a do without; render needless. b give exemption from (a rule). dispensing chemist a chemist qualified to make up and give out medicine etc.
[ ME f. OF despenser f. L dispensare frequent. of dispendere weigh or pay out (as DIS-, pendere pens- weigh) ]