\Dis*pense"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dispensed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Dispensing}.] [F. dispenser, L. 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. [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.

\Dis*pense"\, v. i.
1. To compensate; to make up; to make amends. [Obs.]
         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.

\Dis*pense"\, n. [Cf. F. dispense dispensation. See
{Dispense}, v. t.]
Dispensation; exemption. [Obs.]

\Dis*pense"\, n. [OF. despense, F. d['e]pense.]
Expense; profusion; outlay. [Obs.]
      It was a vault built for great dispense. --Spenser.