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. [Obs.]
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.
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. )
{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. [Obs.] ``Conniving and
dispensing with open and common adultery.'' --Milton.
(c) To break or go back from, as one's word. [Obs.]
--Richardson.
It was a vault built for great dispense. --Spenser.