DISPENSATION
dispensation
(noun) the act of dispensing (giving out in portions)
dispensation
(noun) an exemption from some rule or obligation
dispensation
(noun) a share that has been dispensed or distributed
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
dispensation (countable and uncountable, plural dispensations)
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.
That which is dispensed, dealt out, or appointed; that which is enjoined or bestowed
A system of principles, promises, and rules ordained and administered; scheme; economy; as, the Patriarchal, Mosaic, and Christian dispensations.
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.).
Source: Wiktionary
Dis`pen*sa"tion, n. Etym: [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.),
Definition: 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition