dole Hear it!

dole1 definition

dole (dōl)

noun

  1. a giving out of money or food to those in great need; relief
  2. that which is thus given out
  3. anything given out sparingly
  4. a form of payment by a government to the unemployed, as in England: usually preceded by the
  5. Archaic one's destiny or lot

Etymology: ME dol < OE dal, a share, parallel to dæl: see deal

transitive verb doled, doling dol′·ing

to give sparingly or as a dole: usually with out
dole Idioms

on the dole

receiving government relief funds
dole2 definition

dole (dōl)

noun

Archaic sorrow; dolor

Etymology: see doleful

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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