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Webster 1913 Edition


Dispensation

Disˊpen-sa′tion

,
Noun.
[F.
dispensation
, L.
dispensatio
.]
1.
The act of dispensing or dealing out; distribution; often used of the distribution of good and evil by God to man, or more generically, of the acts and modes of his administration.
To respect the
dispensations
of Providence.
Burke.
2.
That which is dispensed, dealt out, or appointed; that which is enjoined or bestowed
; especially
(Theol.)
,
A system of principles, promises, and rules ordained and administered; scheme; economy;
as, the Patriarchal, Mosaic, and Christian
dispensations
.
Neither are God’s methods or intentions different in his
dispensations
to each private man.
Rogers.
3.
The relaxation of a law in a particular case; permission to do something forbidden, or to omit doing something enjoined; specifically, in the Roman Catholic Church, exemption from some ecclesiastical law or obligation to God which a man has incurred of his own free will (oaths, vows, etc.).
A
dispensation
was obtained to enable Dr. Barrow to marry.
Ward.

Webster 1828 Edition


Dispensation

DISPENSATION

,
Noun.
[L. See Dispense.]
1.
Distribution; the act of dealing out to different persons or places; as the dispensation of water indifferently to all parts of the earth.
2.
The dealing of God to his creatures; the distribution of good and evil, natural or moral, in the divine government.
Neither are Gods methods or intentions different in his dispensations to each private man.
3.
The granting of a license, or the license itself, to do what is forbidden by laws or canons, or to omit something which is commanded; that is, the dispensing with a law or canon, or the exemption of a particular person from the obligation to comply with its injunctions. The pope has power to dispense with the canons of the church, but has no right to grant dispensations to the injury of a third person.
A dispensation was obtained to enable Dr. Barrow to marry.
4.
That which is dispensed or bestowed; a system of principles and rites enjoined; as the Mosaic dispensation; the gospel dispensation; including, the former the Levitical law and rites; the latter the scheme of redemption by Christ.

Definition 2024


dispensation

dispensation

English

Noun

dispensation (plural dispensations)

  1. The act of dispensing or dealing out; distribution; often used of the distribution of good and evil by God to man, or more generically, of the acts and modes of his administration.
  2. That which is dispensed, dealt out, or appointed; that which is enjoined or bestowed
  3. A system of principles, promises, and rules ordained and administered; scheme; economy; as, the Patriarchal, Mosaic, and Christian dispensations.
  4. The relaxation of a law in a particular case; permission to do something forbidden, or to omit doing something enjoined; specifically, in the Roman Catholic Church, exemption from some ecclesiastical law or obligation to God which a man has incurred of his own free will (oaths, vows, etc.).

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