dole
1 of 3noun (1)
ˈdōl 
1
a(1)
: a grant of government funds to the unemployed
had been on the dole for a year
(2)
: a giving or distribution of food, money, or clothing to the needy
b
: something distributed at intervals to the needy
also : handout sense 1
c
: something portioned out bit by bit
2
archaic : one's allotted share, portion, or destiny
dole
2 of 3verb
doled; doling
transitive verb
: to give or distribute as a charity —usually used with out
dole out food to needy families
dole
3 of 3noun (2)
archaic
: grief, sorrow
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- almsgiving
- charity
- philanthropy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1) and Verb
Middle English, from Old English dāl portion — more at deal entry 3
Noun (2)
Middle English dol, from Anglo-French duel, dol, from Late Latin dolus, alteration of Latin dolor — see dolor
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
13th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing dole
Kids Definition
dole 1 of 2
noun
ˈdōl
1
: an act of giving out food, clothing, or money to the needy
2
: something given out to the needy especially at regular times
dole
2 of 2verb
doled; doling
: to give out
Food was doled out to the poor.
Biographical Definition
Dole 1 of 2
biographical name (1)
ˈdōl
Bob 1923–2021 Robert Joseph Dole American politician
Dole
2 of 2biographical name (2)
Sanford Ballard 1844–1926 American jurist; president (1894–1900) and governor (1900–03) of Hawaii
dole
noun
as in philanthropy
the giving of necessities and especially money to the needy a millionaire who was known for his annual Christmas dole to needy-looking strangers he met on the street Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- philanthropy
- welfare
- charity
- almsgiving
- alms
- contribution
- subsidy
- donation
- humanism
- grant
- beneficence
- altruism
- benefaction
- benevolence
- goodwill
- humanitarianism
- fund
- relief
- do-gooding
- do-goodism
- endowment