DISPENSE • FREE-TRANSLATOR.COM • Definition of Dispense

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/dɪspˈɛns/ Listen

verb

Dispense v. t. (past & past part. dispensed; pres. part. dispensing)

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."

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."

3.

To pay for; to atone for. (Obs.) "His sin was dispensed With gold, whereof it was compensed."

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." "He appeared to think himself born to be supported by others, and dispensed from all necessity of providing for himself."

Dispense v. i.

1.

To compensate; to make up; to make amends. (Obs.) "One loving hour For many years of sorrow can dispense."

2.

To give dispensation. "He (the pope) can also dispense in all matters of ecclesiastical law."

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."

(c)

To break or go back from, as one's word. (Obs.)

noun

Dispense n. Dispensation; exemption. (Obs.)

Dispense n. Expense; profusion; outlay. (Obs.) "It was a vault built for great dispense."

See images of 'Dispense'

Etymology of 'Dispense'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Dispense" Quotes from Famous Books

... its pretty boundary of field and woodland, and distant farms; and latest and best of its ornaments, the dear and pleasant mansion where dwelt the neighbours, the friends of friends; farewell to ye all! Ye will easily dispense with me, but what I shall do without you, I cannot imagine. ...

— Books and Authors - Curious Facts and Characteristic Sketches • Anonymous

... like that my husband's genius was at least as bright as my own," said Mary, "and I can't think there is anything unreasonable in that; or rather, I should say, were I a genius myself, I could better dispense with a certain portion of intellect in my husband; as it has been generally remarked that those who are largely endowed themselves can easier dispense with talents in their companions than others of more moderate endowments can do; but virtue and talents on the one side, virtue and tenderness ...

— Marriage • Susan Edmonstone Ferrier

... is he consumed with vague 'spiritual yearnings.' His difficulty is how to control or placate those invisible but very real powers upon which he believes everything depends. He would willingly ignore them if he could, and would cheerfully dispense with their presence altogether if he believed that things would proceed as well in their absence. But there they are, inescapable facts that have to ...

— Religion & Sex - Studies in the Pathology of Religious Development • Chapman Cohen

... "I can imagine Miss Tresilyan perfectly well educated; so well, that she might dispense with carrying about a living voucher in the shape of that dreadful ex-institutrice. I never knew what makes very nice women cling so to very disagreeable governesses. Perhaps there is a satisfaction in patronizing ...

— Sword and Gown - A Novel • George A. Lawrence

... obliged to resort, is peculiarly and highly interesting. With the aid of a partial map of Kamtchatka, and a pocket compass, he set out to regain the sea coast, from which they were, as he supposed, not very far distant. Leaving all their clothes, and every article with which they could possibly dispense, they put the rest of their baggage on two sleds, which they dragged with them. They limited their nourishment to the least possible quantity of food, drinking tea, of which they had a small supply, twice in twenty-four ...

— The American Quarterly Review, No. 17, March 1831 • Various

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