1. To divide and dispense in portions. 2a. To supply (goods) to retailers. b. To deliver or pass out: distributing handbills on the street.3a. To spread or diffuse over an area; scatter: distribute grass seed over the lawn.b. To apportion so as to be evenly spread throughout a given area: 180 pounds of muscle that were well distributed over his 6-foot frame.4. To separate into categories; classify. 5.Logic To use (a term) so as to include all individuals or entities of a given class.
INTRANSITIVE VERB:
Mathematics To be distributive.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English distributen, from Latin distribuere, distribt- : dis-, apart; see dis– + tribuere, to give; see tribute.
SYNONYMS:
distribute, divide, dispense, dole1, deal1, ration These verbs mean to give out in portions or shares. Distribute is the least specific: The government distributed land to settlers.Divide implies giving out portions, often equal, on the basis of a plan or purpose: The estate will be divided among the heirs.Dispense stresses the careful determination of portions, often according to measurement or weight: The pharmacist dispensed the medication.Dole, often followed by out, implies careful, usually sparing measurement of portions. It can refer to the distribution of charity: The city doled out surplus milk to the needy. It can also suggest lack of generosity: The professor doled out meager praise to the students.Deal implies orderly, equitable distribution, often piece by piece: I dealt five cards to each player.Ration refers to equitable division in limited portions of scarce, often necessary, items: The government rationed fuel during the war.
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t- : dis-, apart; see dis– + tribuere, to give; see tribute.
