1. Charitable dispensation of goods, especially money, food, or clothing. 2. A share of money, food, or clothing that has been charitably given. 3.Chiefly British The distribution by the government of relief payments to the unemployed; welfare. 4.Archaic One's fate.
TRANSITIVE VERB:
Inflected forms: doled, dol·ing, doles 1. To dispense as charity. 2. To give out in small portions; distribute sparingly. See synonyms at distribute.
IDIOM:
on the dole Receiving regular relief payments from or as if from the government.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English dol, part, share, from Old English dl. See dail- in Appendix I.
d
l
l. See dail- in Appendix I.
