1 tr. distribute; deal out.
2 tr. administer (a sacrament, justice, etc.).
3 tr. make up and give out (medicine etc.) according to a doctor's prescription.
4 tr. (usu. foll. by from) grant a dispensation to (a person) from an obligation, esp. a religious observance.
5 intr. (foll. by with) a do without; render needless. b give exemption from (a rule).
Phrases and idioms:
dispensing chemist a chemist qualified to make up and give out medicine etc.
Etymology: ME f. OF despenser f. L dispensare frequent. of dispendere weigh or pay out (as DIS-, pendere pens- weigh)
Useful english dictionary. 2012.