ˌdɪspenˈseɪʃən n. 1 a
the act or an
instance of dispensing or distributing. b (foll. by with) the
state of
doing without (a thing). c
something distributed. 2 (usu. foll. by from) a exemption
from a
penalty or
duty; an instance of
this. b exemption from a
religious observance; an instance of this. 3 a religious or
political system obtaining in a
nation etc. (the
Christian dispensation). 4 a the ordering or
management of the
world by
Providence. b a
specific example of
such ordering (of a
community, a
person, etc.). øødispensational adj. [ME f. OF dispensation or L dispensatio (as DISPENSE)]