dispense

/di-ˈspen(t)s/

Middle English, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin dispensare to exempt, from Latin, to distribute, from dis- + pensare to weigh, frequentative of pendere to weigh, pay out

verb

  1. to divide and share out according to a plan : to deal out in portions

  2. administer

  3. to exempt from a law or release from a vow, oath, or impediment : to give dispensation to : exempt

dispense food among the needy

dispense justice

distribute dispense divide deal dole out mean to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group. distribute implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts. dispense suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to due or need.