Dispensaʹtion

The system which God chooses to dispense or establish between Himself and man. The dispensation of Adam was that between Adam and God; the dispensation of Abraham, and that of Moses, were those imparted to these holy men; the Gospel dispensation is that explained in the Gospels. (Latin, dis-penso, to spread forth, unroll, explain, reveal.)

A dispensation from the Pope. Permission to dispense with something enjoined; a licence to do what is forbidden, or to omit what is commanded by the law of the Church, as distinct from the moral law.

“A dispensation was obtained to en able Dr. Barrow to marry.”—Ward.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.