Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Distributed or given out in carefully determined portions: Describes something, especially medicine or a measured substance, that has been officially prepared and provided to someone, typically by a qualified person like a pharmacist or doctor.

Usage

• The word "dispensed" is primarily used as an adjective to describe the state of something after it has been officially and carefully portioned out. It is often used in formal or medical contexts.
• It is the past participle of the verb "dispense," but when used as an adjective, it focuses on the result of the action.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The dispensed medication must be taken exactly as directed. (The medication that has been officially portioned out...)
  • The charity ensures that all dispensed food parcels contain balanced nutrition. (All food parcels that have been given out...)
  • The report analyzed the dispensed doses of the vaccine across different regions. (The doses of the vaccine that were distributed...)

Advanced Usage

• "to be dispensed with" (phrasal verb): This is a common phrasal verb using the base verb "dispense." It means to manage without something, to forgo it, or to make it unnecessary.
  • Formal procedures were dispensed with in the emergency. (Formal procedures were done away with or considered unnecessary.)
  • A good map means a guide can be dispensed with. (A guide becomes unnecessary.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dispense (verb): To distribute or provide (a service or product, especially medicine) to a number of people.
  • Pharmacists dispense prescriptions.
• Dispenser (noun): A person or machine that dispenses something.
  • a soap dispenser; a pharmacist is a dispenser of medicines.
• Dispensation (noun): The act of dispensing or distributing; or a special exemption from a rule or obligation.
  • the dispensation of justice; He received a dispensation to miss the exam.

Synonyms

• Distributed: Given out to a number of recipients.
• Allotted: Given as a share or portion.
• Doled out: Distributed in small, often measured, amounts (can imply scarcity).
• Meted out: Distributed or apportioned, often used for justice or punishment.

Phrasal Verbs Related

• Dispense with: As shown in "Advanced Usage," this means to forgo, abolish, or render unnecessary.

Adjective

1. distributed or weighted out in carefully determined portions
   • medicines dispensed to the sick