dispenser
(dɪˈspɛnsə(r))
Forms: 3–7 despencer, 4–5 despenser, 4–6 dispensour, 5–6 dyspenser, 6– dispenser.
[ME. dispensour, a. AF. des-, dispensour = OF. despenseor, -eur:—L. dispensātōr-em, agent-n. from dispensāre to dispense. This has fallen together with AF. & ME. despencer, -ser, = OF. des- dispensier, = It. dispensiere, Sp. despensero, Pg. -iero = med.L. dispensārius, f. late L. dispensa: see dispense n. and -er2 2.]
1. One who dispenses, deals out, bestows, or administers.
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 33 They may be founde the faythfull dyspensers of the sayd graces. 1592 in Edin. Rev. No. 323. 70 The most ordinary carriers and dispensers of the infection of the plague. 1653 Manton Exp. James v. 2–3 God gaue us wealth, not that we should be hoarders, but dispensers. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) I. 336 The air..as a kind dispenser of light and warmth. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 554 A dispenser of bribes. 1868 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) II. vii. 67 The dispensers of church patronage. |
2. One who manages or administers. a. A steward of a household. arch.
| [1297 R. Glouc. (1724) 559 Sir Hue þe Despencer, þe noble justice.] c 1380 Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. II. 229 Men axe þat a man be found trewe amongis dispensours of an house. c 1400 Mandeville (1839) xi. 123 Helizeus..þat was ȝoman & despenser of Abraham before þat Ysaac was born. 1580 Fulke Agst. Allen 112 (T.) Christ's embassadours, ministers, and dispensers. 1605 Camden Rem. (1637) 246 Turstane the kings steward, or Le Despencer, as they then called him. 1626 L. Owen Rvnning Register 3 The vnder-Officers of the Colledge, as the Despencer, Cooke, Butler, Baker [etc.]. 1867 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) I. vi. 512 Eadric his dispenser. 1880 Muirhead Gaius i. §122 Those slaves who had charge of their owner's money were called dispensers. |
b. An administrator of the law, of authority, etc.
| 1654 State Case Commw. 24 Where law is dispensed there should..be a ready passage to redress against the dispensers. 1825 Coleridge Aids Refl. (1848) I. 111 The dispenser of his particular decrees. 1875 Kinglake Crimea (1877) V. i. 14 Never did he convince the dispensers of military authority. 1884 Law Times 1 Mar. 314/2 The stern majesty of the law of which he is the dispenser. |
3. a. One who makes up medical prescriptions and serves out medicines.
| 1858 Simmonds Dict. Trade, Dispenser, one who distributes or administers; usually applied to medicines. 1861 Wynter Soc. Bees 455 A dispenser who could not stop in the room with an unstoppered bottle of ipecachuana. 1885 Pall Mall G. 31 Dec. 5/1 The old saying that ‘chemists and dispensers make eleven pence three farthings profit out of every shilling they earn’. |
b. Also, one who dispenses a commodity.
| 1881 W. Carleton Lightning-rod Dispenser 3 This railroad smash reminds me..Of a lightning-rod dispenser that came down on me one day. 1925 Daily Tel. 13 May 20 Soda water dispenser required, to supervise six fountains. |
4. One who dispenses with, or gives a dispensation to (a person or thing).
| 1604 Constit. & Canons Eccles. §118 Such dalliers and dispensers with their own consciences and oaths. |
5. A container that dispenses an appropriate measure of a commodity (usu. with defining word).
| 1947 Steinbeck Wayward Bus 104 He passed the sugar dispenser politely to her. 1950 Brit. Pat. 694,333, This invention comprises a new and improved dispenser or magazine. 1958 Woman 31 May 5 (Advt.), She went shopping for a household dispenser. 1959 Engineering 27 Feb. 267/1 Ice-cream dispensers have been installed in a number of factories. 1960 Woman 2 Jan. 43/3 Metal detergent dispenser. 1970 New Scientist 30 Apr. 244/1 Looking forward to hitting Duboys City (population 300) with its longed-for coke dispenser and comfort station. |
Hence diˈspensership, the office of a dispenser (of medicine).
| 1891 Lancet 3 Oct., Dispensership (out-door) wanted by young man. |