dis·pense / disˈpens/ • v. 1. [tr.] distribute or provide (a service or information) to a number of people: he dispensed a gentle pat on Claude’s back. ∎  (of a machine) supply (a product or cash): the machines dispense a range of drinks and snacks. ∎  (of a pharmacist) make up and give out (medicine) according to a doctor's prescription.2. [intr.] (dispense with) manage without; get rid of: let's dispense with the formalities, shall we? ∎  give special exemption from (a law or rule): the Secretary of State was empowered to dispense with the nationality requirement in individual cases. ∎  [tr.] grant (someone) an exemption from a religious obligation: the pope personally nominated him as bishop, dispensing him from his impediment.PHRASES: dispense with someone's services dismiss someone from a job.ORIGIN: late Middle English: via Old French from Latin dispensare ‘continue to weigh out or disburse,’ from the verb dispendere, based on pendere ‘weigh.’

dispense
A. deal out, distribute, administer XIV; make or put up (medicine) XVI;

B. arrange administratively with; relax or release administratively XIV. — OF. despenser (mod. dépenser spend) — L. dispensāre weigh out, disburse, administer, dispose, frequent. of dispendere, f. DIS- 1 + pendere weight. The phr. dispense with (medL. dispensare cum) has an extensive development.
So dispensation distribution; administration, management; act of dispensing with a requirement. XIV. dispensary place for dispensing medicines XVII; †collection of drugs; †book containing formulae for making up medicines XVIII. — absol. use of medL. adj. dispensārius.