Dole /(dōl)/

Dole

n.
  1. grief; sorrow; lamentation. [Archaic]
    And she died. So that day there was dole in Astolat.

Dole

n.
  1. See Dolus. (Scots Law)

Dole

n.
  1. Distribution; dealing; apportionment.
    At her general dole, Each receives his ancient soul.
    — Cleveland.
  2. That which is dealt out; a part, share, or portion also, a scanty share or allowance.
  3. Alms; charitable gratuity or portion.
    So sure the dole, so ready at their call, They stood prepared to see the manna fall.
    Heaven has in store a precious dole.
  4. A boundary; a landmark.
  5. A void space left in tillage.

Phrases & Compounds
Dole beer
beer bestowed as alms.
Dole bread
bread bestowed as alms.
Dole meadow
a meadow in which several persons have a common right or share.
on the dole
receiving financial assistance from a governmental agency, such as a welfare agency; as, after his unemployment benefits ran out, his family was on the dole for a year.

Dole

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Doled; p. pr. & vb. n. Doling

  1. To deal out in small portions; to distribute, as a dole; to deal out scantily or grudgingly.
    The supercilious condescension with which even his reputed friends doled out their praises to him.