— dispensational , adj. — dispensatorily /di spen"seuh tawr'euh lee, -tohr'-/ , adv.
/dis'peuhn say"sheuhn, -pen-/ , n.
1. an act or instance of dispensing; distribution.
2. something that is distributed or given out.
3. a certain order, system, or arrangement; administration or management.
4. Theol.
a. the divine ordering of the affairs of the world.
b. an appointment, arrangement, or favor, as by God.
c. a divinely appointed order or age: the old Mosaic, or Jewish, dispensation; the new gospel, or Christian, dispensation.
5. a dispensing with, doing away with, or doing without something.
6. Rom. Cath. Ch.
a. a relaxation of law in a particular case granted by a competent superior or the superior's delegate in laws that the superior has the power to make and enforce: a dispensation regarding the Lenten fast.
b. an official document authorizing such a relaxation of law.
[ 1325-75; ME dispensacioun dispensation- (s. of dispensatio ) a pardon, relaxation, LL: order, system, divine grace, L: distribution, equiv. to dispensat ( us ) (ptp. of dispensare to DISPENSE; see -ATE 1 ) + -ion- -ION ]
Syn. 1. dispersion, meting out, apportioning, dissemination, bestowal.