Dispense | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Dis-pênse′, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. DISPENSED (dis-pênst′); p. pr. & vb. n. DISPENSING.] [Fr. dispenser, Pr. dispensar, despenser, Sp. & Pg. dispensar, It. dispensare, Lat. dispensare, v. intens. of dispendere. See DISPEND.]

Sense 1. To deal or divide out in parts or portions; to distribute; as, the steward dispenses provisions according to his directions.

He is delighted to dispense a share of it to all the company. W. Scott.

Sense 2. To apply, as laws to particular cases; to administer; to execute; to carry out.

While you dispense the laws and guide the state. Dryden.

Sense 3. To exempt; to compensate; to atone for. [Obs.]

His sin was dispensed With gold. Gower.

Dis-pēnse', v. i.

verbintransitive

v. i. To compensate. [Obs.] One loving hour For many years of sorrow can dispense. Spencer. To dispense with. (a.) To permit the neglect or omission of, as a form, a ceremony, an oath; to suspend the operation of, as a law; to give up, release, or do without, as services, attention, &c. (b.) To allow; to put up with. “Conniving and dispensing with open and common adultery.” Milton. (c.) To do or perform. Waller. (d.) To obtain a dispensation from. [Obs.] “Canst thou dispense with Heaven for such an oath?” Shak.

Dis-pēnse', n.

noun

[Fr. dispense, It. dispensa, Sp. dispensa, despensa, despesa, Pr. despensa, despessa. See supra.]

Dispensation. [Obs.] Milton.
Expense; profusion. [Obs.]

It was a vault built for great dispense. Spenser.