Word Direct Answers

What does "dole" mean?

Dole: Distribution; dealing; apportionment. At her general dole, Each receives his ancient soul. Cleveland.

Additional senses

  1. 2.That which is dealt out; a part, share, or portion also, a scanty share or allowance.
  2. 3.Alms; charitable gratuity or portion. So sure the dole, so ready at their call, They stood prepared to see the manna fall. Dryden. Heaven has in store a precious dole. Keble.
  3. 4.A boundary; a landmark. Halliwell.
  4. 5.A void space left in tillage. [Prov. Eng.] Dole beer, beer bestowed as alms. [Obs.] -- Dole bread, bread bestowed as alms. [Obs.] -- Dole meadow, a meadow in which several persons have a common right or share.
  5. 6.To deal out in small portions; to distribute, as a dole; to deal out scantily or grudgingly. The supercilious condescension with which even his reputed friends doled out their praises to him. De Quincey.

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