Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Dispense?

\Dis*pense"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dispensed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Dispensing}.] [F. dispenser, L. dispensare, intens. of dispendere. See {Dispend}.] 1. To deal out in portions; to distribute; to give; as, the steward dispenses provisions according directions; Nature dispenses her bounties; to dispense medicines. He is delighted to dispense a share of it to all the company. --Sir W. Scott. 2. To apply, as laws to particular cases; to administer; to execute; to manage; to direct. While you dispense the laws, and guide the state. --Dryden. 3. To pay for; to atone for. [Obs.] His sin was dispensed With gold, whereof it was compensed. --Gower. 4. To exempt; to excuse; to absolve; -- with from. It was resolved that all members of the House who held commissions, should be dispensed from parliamentary attendance. --Macaulay. He appeared to think himself born to be supported by others, and dispensed from all necessity of providing for himself. --Johnson.
\Dis*pense"\, v. i. 1. To compensate; to make up; to make amends. [Obs.] One loving hour For many years of sorrow can dispense. --Spenser. 2. To give dispensation. He [the pope] can also dispense in all matters of ecclesiastical law. --Addis & Arnold (Cath. Dict. ) {To dispense with}. (a) To permit the neglect or omission of, as a form, a ceremony, an oath; to suspend the operation of, as a law; to give up, release, or do without, as services, attention, etc.; to forego; to part with. (b) To allow by dispensation; to excuse; to exempt; to grant dispensation to or for. [Obs.] ``Conniving and dispensing with open and common adultery.'' --Milton. (c) To break or go back from, as one's word. [Obs.] --Richardson.
\Dis*pense"\, n. [Cf. F. dispense dispensation. See {Dispense}, v. t.] Dispensation; exemption. [Obs.]
\Dis*pense"\, n. [OF. despense, F. d['e]pense.] Expense; profusion; outlay. [Obs.] It was a vault built for great dispense. --Spenser.