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

distribute, disburse, allocate, furnish, allot, apply, enforce, discharge, apportion, deal, give, prorate, partition, share, portion, prepare, lot, measure, assign, divide

Example sentences from the Web for dispense

British Dictionary definitions for dispense

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

dispense
[ dĭ-spĕns′ ]

v.

To prepare and give out medicines.