dole 1
/dohl/ , n. , v. , doled, doling .
n.
1. a portion or allotment of money, food, etc., esp. as given at regular intervals by a charity or for maintenance.
2. a dealing out or distributing, esp. in charity.
3. a form of payment to the unemployed instituted by the British government in 1918.
4. any similar payment by a government to an unemployed person.
5. Archaic. one's fate or destiny.
6. on the dole , receiving payment from the government, as relief: They couldn't afford any luxuries while living on the dole.
v.t.
7. to distribute in charity.
8. to give out sparingly or in small quantities (usually fol. by out ): The last of the water was doled out to the thirsty crew.
[ bef. 1000; ME dol, OE gedal sharing; cf. DEAL 1 ]
Syn. 1. share, pittance. 8. ration.
dole 2
/dohl/ , n. Archaic.
grief or sorrow; lamentation.
[ 1200-50; ME do ( e ) l dolus, for L dolor DOLOR ]