Vocabulary in context
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Dispense
To distribute or provide something, especially in measured portions; to administer or supply. Also, in the phrase 'dispense with,' to do away with or omit something.
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Imagine This
Imagine a busy pharmacy where a machine dispenses pills into labeled bottles, counting each dose as it pours. In a boardroom, the chair dispenses with the usual formalities and gets straight to the agenda.
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Sounds Like
di-SPENS
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Looks Like
Looks like expense or defense—shares the dis- prefix and ends with -pense, which can hint at distributing something outward.
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Remember This
Dispense has two main senses: distributing or providing something, and omitting or doing away with something (dispense with). The second sense often appears in formal or administrative contexts.
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Other Forms
dispensesverb (3rd person singular)
dispensingverb / gerund
dispensedverb (past tense)
dispensationnoun
dispensarynoun
dispensableadjective
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Connect With
distribute, allocate, administer, ration; 'dispense with' = do without, omit, discard
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Note
Common collocations include 'dispense medications,' 'dispense services,' and the phrasal verb 'dispense with' (to omit or do away with). Not to be confused with 'dispensary,' the place where items are dispensed.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The pharmacist dispenses medications to patients every day.
- The vending machine dispenses snacks and drinks.
Synonyms
distributegive outallotapportionissue
Antonyms
withholdkeepretain
Etymology
From Old French despenser, from Latin dispensa 'a weighing out, allowance' from dis- 'apart' + pendere 'to weigh' (dispendere). The sense evolved from weighing out or distributing portions to providing goods or services; the idiom 'dispense with' emerged to mean omit or do away with.
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: DISPENSE = DIS- (apart) + PENSE (weigh) — picture a scale that weighs out exact portions to give to people. Also remember the phrase 'dispense with' means to skip the extras and proceed directly to the point.
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Garbled
adjectiveDistorted or unclear, especially a statement or text whose intended meaning has been corrupted or obscured.
Pedestrian
noun, adjectiveNoun: a person walking, especially along a street. Adjective: dull, ordinary, lacking excitement or imagination.
Stimulate
verbTo rouse or spur into action; to increase activity, interest, or development.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
Absolve
verbTo free someone from blame or responsibility; to pardon or exonerate.
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