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>