dispense

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To issue, distribute, or give out.

   He is delighted to dispense a share of it to all the company.

2. 2
   verb

   To apply, as laws to particular cases; to administer; to execute; to manage; to direct.

   to dispense justice

3. 3
   verb

   To supply or make up a medicine or prescription.

   The pharmacist dispensed my tablets.

4. 4
   verb

   To give a dispensation to (someone); to excuse.

   After his victories, he often gave them the reines to all licenciousnesse, for a while dispencing them from all rules of military discipline[…].

5. 5
   verb

   To compensate; to make up; to make amends.

   One loving howre / For many yeares of sorrow can dispence

6. 6
   noun

   The act of dispensing, dispensation.

   […] what euer in this worldly state / Is sweet, and pleasing vnto liuing sense, / Or that may dayntiest fantasie aggrate, / Was poured forth with plentifull dispence […]

7. 7
   verb

   give or apply (medications)

8. 8
   verb

   administer or bestow, as in small portions

Etymology

From Middle English, from Old French dispenser, from Latin dispēnsāre (“to weigh out, pay out, distribute, regulate, manage, control, dispense”), frequentative of dispendere (“to weigh out”), from dis- (“apart”) + pendere (“to weigh”).