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View synonyms for

dispense

[ dih-spens ]

verb (used with object)

dispensed, dispensing.
  1. to deal out; distribute:

    to dispense wisdom.

    Synonyms: , ,

  2. to administer:

    to dispense the law without bias.

  3. Pharmacology. to make up and distribute (medicine), especially on prescription.
  4. Roman Catholic Church. to grant dispensation.


verb (used without object)

dispensed, dispensing.
  1. to grant dispensation.

noun

  1. Obsolete. expenditure.

verb phrase

    1. to do without; forgo:

      to dispense with preliminaries.

    2. to do away with; rid of.
    3. to grant exemption from a law or promise.

dispense

/ ɪˈɛԲ /

verb

  1. tr to give out or issue in portions
  2. tr to prepare and distribute (medicine), esp on prescription
  3. tr to administer (the law, etc)
  4. intrfoll bywith to do away (with) or manage (without)
  5. to grant a dispensation to (someone) from (some obligation of church law)
  6. to exempt or excuse from a rule or obligation
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage

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

  • ܲd·Բ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dispense1

1275–1325; Middle English dispensen < Medieval Latin 徱ŧԲ to pardon, exempt, Latin: to pay out, distribute, equivalent to dis- dis- 1 + ŧԲ, frequentative of pendere to weigh
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Word History and Origins

Origin of dispense1

C14: from Medieval Latin 徱Բ to pardon, from Latin dispendere to weigh out, from dis- 1+ pendere to weigh
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Nearly nine in 10 prescriptions in England are already dispensed free of charge, with children, over 60s, pregnant women, people with certain medical conditions and those on lower incomes exempt from paying.

From

The network dispensed with the staid conservative aesthetic for the 2x4-to-the-face vibe.

From

In these moments, he mostly dispenses with the pretense of love and simply just wants to be seen as who he is, with all his torturous flaws, by another human being.

From

Asked about his design philosophy, for instance, and Gurr dispenses with big theories and instead focuses on careful pragmatism.

From

“Pharmacies have a legal responsibility to prescribe controlled substances in a safe and professional manner, not dispense dangerous drugs just for profit,” U.S.

From

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dispensatorydispenser