dole

The definition of a dole is charitable giving.

(noun)

An example of a dole is food given to the homeless.

To dole is defined as to give out or share.

(verb)

An example of to dole is to give out clothing to the needy.

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See dole in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. a giving out of money or food to those in great need; relief
  2. that which is thus given out
  3. anything given out sparingly
  4. a form of payment by a government to the unemployed, as in England: usually preceded by the
  5. Archaic one's destiny or lot

Origin: ME dol < OE dal, a share, parallel to dæl: see deal

transitive verb doled, doling

to give sparingly or as a dole: usually with out

noun

Archaic sorrow; dolor

Origin: see doleful

See dole in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. Charitable dispensation of goods, especially money, food, or clothing.
  2. A share of money, food, or clothing that has been charitably given.
  3. Chiefly British The distribution by the government of relief payments to the unemployed; welfare.
  4. Archaic One's fate.
transitive verb doled doled, dol·ing, doles
  1. To dispense as charity.
  2. To give out in small portions; distribute sparingly. See Synonyms at distribute.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English dol, part, share

Origin: , from Old English dāl; see dail- in Indo-European roots

.

noun
Archaic
Sorrow; grief; dolor.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English dol

Origin: , from Old French dol, deul

Origin: , from Late Latin dolus

Origin: , from Latin dolēre, to feel pain, grieve

.

American politician who served as a U.S. representative (1961-1969) and senator (1969-1996) from Kansas. He ran as Vice President in Gerald Ford's unsuccessful presidential campaign (1976) and was the Republican presidential nominee in the 1996 election.

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