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dole¹

(dōl)

1. The distribution by the government of relief payments to the unemployed.

2. A share of money, food, or clothing that has been charitably given: increasing the monthly dole given to poor families.

3. Archaic One's fate.

tr.v. doled, dol·ing, doles

To give out, especially in portions or shares; allot or distribute. Often used with out: The mayor doled out jobs to those who had supported him in the election. See Synonyms at distribute.

Idiom:

on the dole

Receiving regular relief payments from or as if from the government.

[Middle English dol, part, share, from Old English dāl; see dail- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

dole²

(dōl)

n.
Archaic

Sorrow; grief; dolor.

[Middle English dol, from Old French dol, deul, from Late Latin dolus, from Latin dolēre, to feel pain, grieve.]

Dole

(dōl), Robert Joseph Known as "Bob." Born 1923.

American politician who served as a US representative (1961-1969) and senator (1969-1996) from Kansas. He ran as vice president in Gerald Ford's unsuccessful presidential campaign (1976) and was the Republican presidential nominee in the 1996 election.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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