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dispense

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To dispense is to give out something, especially a specific portion or amount or to exempt from a rule.

(verb)

An example of dispense is when a person hands out fliers about a new store.
An example of dispense is when you put aside your anger to make a deal.
An example of dispense is when a prosecutor gives immunity to a witness.

See dispense in Webster's New World College Dictionary

to give or deal out; distribute
to prepare and give out (medicines, prescriptions, etc.)
to administer: to dispense the law justly
to exempt; excuse

Origin: ME dispensen < OFr despenser < L dispensare, to pay out < pp. of dispendere, to weigh out < dis-, out + pendere, to weigh: see pendant

See dispense in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb dis·pensed, dis·pens·ing, dis·pens·es

verb, transitive

To deal out in parts or portions; distribute. See Synonyms at distribute.
To prepare and give out (medicines).
To administer (laws, for example).
To exempt or release, as from a duty or religious obligation.

verb, intransitive

To grant a dispensation or exemption.

Phrasal Verb: dispense with To manage without; forgo: Let's dispense with the formalities. To get rid of; do away with: a country that has dispensed with tariff barriers.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English dispensen

Origin: , from Old French dispenser

Origin: , from Latin dispēnsāre, to distribute

Origin: , frequentative of dispendere, to weigh out

Origin: : dis-, out; see dis-

Origin: + pendere, to weigh; see (s)pen- in Indo-European roots

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