dispensation Hear it!

dispensation Definition

dis·pen·sa·tion (dis′pən sā′s̸hən)

noun

  1. a dispensing, or giving out; distribution
  2. anything dispensed or distributed
  3. the system by which anything is administered; management
  4. any release or exemption from an obligation
  5. Law the suspension of a statute in a specific case for extenuating reasons
  6. R.C.Ch. an exemption or release from the provisions of a specific church law
  7. Theol.
    1. the ordering of events under divine authority
    2. any religious system

Etymology: ME dispensacioun < OFr despensation < L dispensatio, management, charge < pp. of dispensare, dispense

dispensation Related Forms
dis′·pen·sa′·tional adjective
dispensation Synonyms

dispensation

n.

  1. Distribution

    allocation, allotment, endowment; see distribution 1, 2.

  2. Management

    direction, regulation, supervision; see administration 1.

  3. Release from obligation

    exemption, waiver, indulgence, authorization; see freedom 2, permission.

dispensation Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • grace: The content of the sign is at least this: the new dispensation of grace under the messianic lordship of Jesus Christ.
  • justice: All while openly declaring that their loyalty is to the LAW and the notion of law rather than the actual dispensation of justice.

Preposition: from

  • duty: The Court of Protection has a general power of dispensation from the duty of notification.
  • requirement: Candidates who have taken an M.Phil. or M.A. course already may be given a dispensation from this requirement.
  • authority: Mike said he would seek dispensation from the church Authorities for this to be displayed with other items in the Church.

Converse of object

  • grant: Henry was granted a special dispensation from the pope.
  • obtain: Obtained a dispensation from the Vice-Chancellor to eat meat in Lent, 1662, for his health's sake.
  • seek: The Constabulary will then seek a dispensation from the IPCC from investigating further.
  • receive: However, he did receive special dispensation to hire all seven members of the town band.
  • give: The English rugby team has been given a special one-year dispensation.
  • allow: The special dispensation allowed to Football League clubs to be able to trade throughout the season will end this season.

Adjective modifier

  • papal: Papal dispensations for the union had to be obtained.
  • Mosaic: Is He less precious in Himself now than He was under the dark Mosaic dispensation of the gospel?
  • special: Saints also recently gained a special dispensation from the Premier League to approach players on the Channel Islands.
  • divine: The crucial question therefore is the relationship between the parts of this divine dispensation.
  • democratic: Thus, people now, finding themselves in a new democratic dispensation, are forcing the issue.

Noun used with modifier

  • testament: This was emphatically taught in connection with the gorgeous ritual of the Old Testament dispensation.
  • marriage: He later added the evidence of the marriage dispensation, and Robert Battle provided a transcript of the record.
  • expense: We can also assist you in applying for expenses dispensations.
dispensation Quotes

But set down This, set down This: were we led all that way for Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly, We had evidence and no doubt. I had seen birth and death But had thought they were different; this Birth was Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death. We returned to our places, these Kingdoms, But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation, With an alien people clutching their gods. I should be glad of another death.

—Eliot,T(homas) S(tearns)