Wordnet 3.0
ADJECTIVE (1)
1.
distributed or weighted out in carefully determined portions;
- Example: "medicines dispensed to the sick"
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Dispense \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.
[1913 Webster]
He is delighted to dispense a share of it to all the
company. --Sir W.
Scott.
[1913 Webster]
2. To apply, as laws to particular cases; to administer; to
execute; to manage; to direct.
[1913 Webster]
While you dispense the laws, and guide the state.
--Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
3. To pay for; to atone for. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
His sin was dispensed
With gold, whereof it was compensed. --Gower.
[1913 Webster]
4. To exempt; to excuse; to absolve; -- with from.
[1913 Webster]
It was resolved that all members of the House who
held commissions, should be dispensed from
parliamentary attendance. --Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]
He appeared to think himself born to be supported by
others, and dispensed from all necessity of
providing for himself. --Johnson.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
dispensed \dispensed\ adj.
distributed or weighed out in carefully determined portions;
as, medicines dispensed to the sick.
[WordNet 1.5]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
distributed \distributed\ adj.
1. spread from a central location to multiple points or
recipients. Opposite of concentrated. [Narrower terms:
apportioned, dealt out, doled out, meted out, parceled
out; diffuse, diffused; dispensed; dispersed,
spread; divided, divided up, shared, shared out on the
basis of a plan or purpose); encyclical; rationed;
scattered, widespread; sparse, thin; unfocused,
unfocussed] Also See: distributive.
[WordNet 1.5 +PJC]
2. spread among a variety of securities; -- of investments.
Syn: diversified.
[WordNet 1.5]
Distributing to the necessity of saints. --Rom.
xii. 13.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
dispensed
adj 1: distributed or weighted out in carefully determined
portions; "medicines dispensed to the sick"