DISPENSE


Meaning of DISPENSE in English

v.

Pronunciation: di- ' spen(t)s

Function: verb

Inflected Form: dis · pensed ; dis · pens · ing

Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin dispensare to exempt, from Latin, to distribute, from dis- + pensare to weigh, frequentative of pendere to weigh, pay out ― more at SPIN

Date: 14th century

transitive verb

1 a : to deal out in portions b : ADMINISTER < dispense justice>

2 : to give dispensation to : EXEMPT

3 : to prepare and distribute (medication)

intransitive verb archaic : to grant dispensation

synonyms see DISTRIBUTE

– dispense with

1 : to set aside : DISCARD < dispensing with the usual introduction>

2 : to do without <could dispense with such a large staff>

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.