n.
Pronunciation: ' d ō l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English d ā l portion ― more at DEAL
Date: before 12th century
1 archaic : one's allotted share, portion, or destiny
2 a (1) : a giving or distribution of food, money, or clothing to the needy (2) : a grant of government funds to the unemployed b : something distributed at intervals to the needy also : HANDOUT 1 c : something portioned out bit by bit