The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Distribute \Dis*trib"ute\, v. i.
   To make distribution.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Distribute \Dis*trib"ute\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Distributed; p.
   pr. & vb. n. Distributing.] [L. distributus, p. p. of
   distribuere to divide, distribute; dis- + tribuere to assign,
   give, allot. See Tribute.]
   1. To divide among several or many; to deal out; to
      apportion; to allot.
      [1913 Webster]

            She did distribute her goods to all them that were
            nearest of kindred.                   --Judith xvi.
                                                  24.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To dispense; to administer; as, to distribute justice.
      --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To divide or separate, as into classes, orders, kinds, or
      species; to classify; to assort, as specimens, letters,
      etc.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. (Printing)
      (a) To separate (type which has been used) and return it
          to the proper boxes in the cases.
      (b) To spread (ink) evenly, as upon a roller or a table.
          [1913 Webster]

   5. (Logic) To employ (a term) in its whole extent; to take as
      universal in one premise.
      [1913 Webster]

            A term is said to be distributed when it is taken
            universal, so as to stand for everything it is
            capable of being applied to.          --Whately.

   Syn: To dispense; deal out; apportion; allot; share; assign;
        divide.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

distribute
    v 1: administer or bestow, as in small portions; "administer
         critical remarks to everyone present"; "dole out some
         money"; "shell out pocket money for the children"; "deal a
         blow to someone"; "the machine dispenses soft drinks" [syn:
         distribute, administer, mete out, deal, parcel
         out, lot, dispense, shell out, deal out, dish
         out, allot, dole out]
    2: distribute or disperse widely; "The invaders spread their
       language all over the country" [syn: spread, distribute]
       [ant: collect, garner, gather, pull together]
    3: make available; "The publisher wants to distribute the book
       in Asia"
    4: give to several people; "The teacher handed out the exams"
       [syn: distribute, give out, hand out, pass out]
    5: cause be distributed; "This letter is being circulated among
       the faculty" [syn: circulate, pass around, pass on,
       distribute]
    6: cause to become widely known; "spread information";
       "circulate a rumor"; "broadcast the news" [syn: circulate,
       circularize, circularise, distribute, disseminate,
       propagate, broadcast, spread, diffuse, disperse,
       pass around]
    7: spread throughout a given area; "the function distributes the
       values evenly"
    8: be distributed or spread, as in statistical analyses; "Values
       distribute"
    9: be mathematically distributive
    10: to arrange in a systematic order; "stagger the chairs in the
        lecture hall" [syn: stagger, distribute]