Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Dispense

Dispense , transitive verb

[French dispenser, Latin dispensare, intens. of dispendere. See Dispend.]

1.
To deal out in portions; to distribute; to give; as, the steward dispenses provisions according directions; Nature dispenses her bounties; to dispense medicines.
He is delighted to dispense a share of it to all the company. — Sir W. Scott
2.
To apply, as laws to particular cases; to administer; to execute; to manage; to direct.
While you dispense the laws, and guide the state. — Dryden
3.
To pay for; to atone for. [Obsolete]
His sin was dispensed With gold, whereof it was compensed. — Gower
4.
To exempt; to excuse; to absolve; -- with from.
It was resolved that all members of the House who held commissions, should be dispensed from parliamentary attendance. — Macaulay
He appeared to think himself born to be supported by others, and dispensed from all necessity of providing for himself. — Johnson

Dispense , intransitive verb

1.
To compensate; to make up; to make amends. [Obsolete]
One loving hour For many years of sorrow can dispense. — Spenser
2.
To give dispensation.
He [the pope] can also dispense in all matters of ecclesiastical law. — Addis & Arnold (Cath. Dict. )
Collocations (1)
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, etc.; to forego; to part with (b) To allow by dispensation; to excuse; to exempt; to grant dispensation to or for. [Obsolete] Conniving and dispensing with open and common adultery. — Milton (c) To break or go back from, as one's word. [Obsolete] — Richardson

Dispense , noun

[Compare French dispense dispensation. See Dispense, transitive verb]

Dispensation; exemption. [Obsolete]

Dispense , noun

[Old French despense, French dépense.]

Expense; profusion; outlay. [Obsolete]
It was a vault built for great dispense. — Spenser