[dis.pense] vb dis.pensed ; dis.pens.ing [ME, fr. ML & L; ML dispensare to exempt, fr. L, to distribute, fr. dis- + pensare to weigh, freq. of pendere to weigh, pay out--more at spin] vt (14c) 1 a: to deal out in portions b: administer "~ justice"
2: to give dispensation to: exempt
3: to prepare and distribute (medication) ~ vi, archaic: to grant dispensation syn 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"