Origin of dispense

1275–1325; Middle English dispensen < Medieval Latin dispēnsāre to pardon, exempt, Latin: to pay out, distribute, equivalent to dis- dis-1 + pēnsāre, frequentative of pendere to weigh

synonym study for dispense

1. See distribute.

OTHER WORDS FROM dispense

un·dis·pensed, adjective

Words nearby dispense

dispensary, dispensation, dispensationalism, dispensator, dispensatory, dispense, dispense with, dispenser, dispensible, dispensing optician, dispeople

Words related to dispense with

relinquish, waive, abolish, ignore, forgo, disregard, cancel

British Dictionary definitions for dispense with

dispense
/ (dɪˈspɛns) /

verb

(tr) to give out or issue in portions
(tr) to prepare and distribute (medicine), esp on prescription
(tr) to administer (the law, etc)
(intr foll by with) to do away (with) or manage (without)
to grant a dispensation to (someone) from (some obligation of church law)
to exempt or excuse from a rule or obligation

Word Origin for dispense

C14: from Medieval Latin dispensāre to pardon, from Latin dispendere to weigh out, from dis- 1 + pendere to weigh

usage for dispense

Dispense with is sometimes wrongly used where dispose of is meant: this task can be disposed of (not dispensed with) quickly and easily

Medical definitions for dispense with

dispense
[ dĭ-spĕns′ ]

v.

To prepare and give out medicines.

Idioms and Phrases with dispense with

dispense with
1

Manage without, forgo, as in We can dispense with the extra help. Shakespeare had this idiom in Timon of Athens (3:2): “Men must learn now with pity to dispense.” [c. 1600]

2

Get rid of, do away with, as in The European Union is trying to dispense with tariff barriers. [Late 1500s]

3

Exempt one from a law, promise, or obligation, as in He asked the court to dispense with swearing on the Bible. This usage originally applied to religious obligations (to which the Pope granted dispensation). [Early 1500s]