SG Heritage Dictionary

Dispense [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. Dispens.

3. Expense; profusion. [Not in use.]

Dispense [Verb transitive] Webster's Dictionary 1828

1. dispens. [Latin , to weigh, primarily to move; and perhaps the original idea of expending was to weigh off, or to distribute by weight.]

2. To deal or divide out in parts or portions; to distribute. The steward dispenses provisions to every man, according to his directions. The society dispenses medicines to the poor gratuitously or at first cost. God dispenses his favors according to his good pleasure.

3. To administer; to apply, as laws to particular cases; to distribute justice.

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

5. To dispense with,

6. To permit not to take effect; to neglect or pass by; to suspend the operation or application of something required, established or customary; as, to dispense with the law, in favor of a friend; I cannot dispense with the conditions of the covenant. So we say, to dispense with oaths; to dispense with forms and ceremonies.

7. To excuse from; to give leave not to do or observe what is required or commanded. The court will dispense with your attendance, or with you compliance.

8. To permit the want of a thing which is useful or convenient; or in the vulgar phrase, to do without. I can dispense with your services. I can dispense with my cloke. In this application, the phrase has an allusion to the requisitions of law or necessity; the thing dispensed with being supposed, in some degree, necessary or required.

9. I could not dispense with myself from making a voyage to Caprea. [Not to be imitated.]

10. Canst thou dispense with heaven for such an oath? [Not legitimate.]

Dispense [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1913

Expense; profusion; outlay.

Dispense [Verb intransitive] Webster's Dictionary 1913

1. To compensate; to make up; to make amends.

2. To give dispensation.

Dispense [Verb transitive] Webster's Dictionary 1913

1. To deal out in portions; to distribute; to give; as, the steward dispenses provisions according directions; Nature dispenses her bounties; to dispense medicines.

2. To apply, as laws to particular cases; to administer; to execute; to manage; to direct.

3. To pay for; to atone for.

4. To exempt; to excuse; to absolve; -- with from.

5. Dispensation; exemption.

Dispensed [Participle passive] Webster's Dictionary 1828

Distributed; administered.

Dispensed [Imperfect tense and past participle] Webster's Dictionary 1913

of Dispense

Dispenser [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1828

One who dispenses; one who distributes; one who administers; as a dispenser of favors or of the laws.

Dispenser [Noun] Webster's Dictionary 1913

One who, or that which, dispenses; a distributer; as, a dispenser of favors.