dispensary
(dɪˈspɛnsərɪ)
[f. L. type dispensārium, dispensārius (liber): cf. med.L. dispensārius (1290 in Fleta = dispensator dispenser), and F. dispensaire ‘a Dispensatorie, or Booke, that teacheth how to make all Phisicall compositions’ (Cotgr. 1611); f. dispens- ppl. stem of L. dispend-ĕre to dispense: see -ary.]
1. A place, room, or shop, in which medicines are dispensed; an apothecary's shop. spec. A charitable institution, where medicines are dispensed and medical advice given gratis, or for a small charge (charitable dispensary or public dispensary).
| 1699 Garth Dispens. Pref. (R.), The dispensary being an apartment in the college, set up for the relief of the sick poor. 1702 (title), The necessity and usefulness of the Dispensaries lately set up by the College of Physicians in London, for the use of the sick poor. 1789 Mrs. Piozzi Journ. France I. 199 [Venice treacle] can never be got genuine except here, at the original Dispensary. 1806 T. S. Surr Winter in Lond. I. 58 In the discharge of his duty as physician to a dispensary. 1869 Lecky Europ. Mor. II. iv. 86 A Merchant..founded.. a gratuitous dispensary for the monks. 1874 C. Geikie Life in Woods xvii. 291 He gave me some stuff from a dispensary. |
† 2. transf. A collection of the drugs or preparations mentioned in the pharmacopœia or to be found in an apothecary's shop. Obs.
| 1710 Steele Tatler No. 248 ¶3 Natural Gaiety and Spirit..surpass all the false Ornaments..that can be put on by applying the whole Dispensary of a Toilet. 1768–74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1852) I. 676 Nor yet does it suffice that we have a complete dispensary of remedies without knowing how to apply them. |
† 3. A book containing formulæ and directions for the making up of medicines; a pharmacopœia; = dispensatory n. 1. Obs. or arch.
| 1721 Bailey, Dispensary, a Treatise of Medicines. 1725 Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Syrup, You have..a Description..of it in all Dispensaries. |