dispense

views updated May 17 2018

dis·pense / disˈpens/ • v. 1. [tr.] distribute or provide (a service or information) to a number of people: he dispensed a gentle pat on Claude’s back. ∎  (of a machine) supply (a product or cash): the machines dispense a range of drinks and snacks. ∎  (of a pharmacist) make up and give out (medicine) according to a doctor's prescription.2. [intr.] (dispense with) manage without; get rid of: let's dispense with the formalities, shall we? ∎  give special exemption from (a law or rule): the Secretary of State was empowered to dispense with the nationality requirement in individual cases. ∎  [tr.] grant (someone) an exemption from a religious obligation: the pope personally nominated him as bishop, dispensing him from his impediment.PHRASES: dispense with someone's services dismiss someone from a job.ORIGIN: late Middle English: via Old French from Latin dispensare ‘continue to weigh out or disburse,’ from the verb dispendere, based on pendere ‘weigh.’

dispense

views updated May 23 2018

dispense
A. deal out, distribute, administer XIV; make or put up (medicine) XVI;

B. arrange administratively with; relax or release administratively XIV. — OF. despenser (mod. dépenser spend) — L. dispensāre weigh out, disburse, administer, dispose, frequent. of dispendere, f. DIS- 1 + pendere weight. The phr. dispense with (medL. dispensare cum) has an extensive development.
So dispensation distribution; administration, management; act of dispensing with a requirement. XIV. dispensary place for dispensing medicines XVII; †collection of drugs; †book containing formulae for making up medicines XVIII. — absol. use of medL. adj. dispensārius.

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