ˌdispənˈsāshən, ˌdiˌspen- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English dispensacioun, from Medieval Latin, Late Latin, & Latin; Medieval Latin dispensation-, dispensatio exemption, pardon, from Late Latin, arrangement, administration, from Latin, distribution, from dispensatus (past participle of dispensare to distribute) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at dispense
1.
a.
(1) : ordering , administration , management
under the new dispensation private distillers are first to be licensed and then gradually bought out — D.W.McConnell
specifically : a divine ordering and administration of worldly affairs
(2) : a system of principles, promises, and rules divinely ordained and administered : the divine economy
the Mosaic dispensation
the Christian dispensation
(3) : a period of history during which a particular divine revelation has predominated in the affairs of mankind
(4) : any general state or ordering of things
the triumph of the predatory dog-eat-dog dispensation — John Gassner
b. : an arrangement or provision especially of providence or nature ; also : favor
the 400 merino sheep that he had purchased by special dispensation from the Escurial royal flock of Spain — American Guide Series: Vermont
2. : a dispensing with or doing without something : remission of a sin : exemption from a rule of civil or ecclesiastical law or from an impediment, vow, or oath
3.
a. : the act of dispensing : a dealing out : distribution
a ship's pharmacist concerns himself with the dispensation of medicines
b. : something dispensed or distributed
one of the most remarkable cultural dispensations in the country's history, the paperback book — T.E.Cooney
4. : formal authorization by a fraternal organization (as for the purpose of forming a chapter)
four other Freemasons met to petition the Grand Lodge of Louisiana for a dispensation to organize a lodge at Brazoria — American Guide Series: Texas
• dis·pen·sa·tion·al | ̷ ̷(ˌ) ̷ ̷|sāshən ə l, -shnəl adjective