dispense : Idioms & Phrases
dispense with
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verb give up what is not strictly needed
give up; spare; part with.
- he asked if they could spare one of their horses to speed his journey
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verb do without or cease to hold or adhere to
relinquish; foreswear; forego; waive; forgo.
- We are dispensing with formalities
- relinquish the old ideas
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verb forgo or do or go without
WordNet
To dispense with
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(a) To permit the neglect or omission of, as a form, a ceremony, an oath; to suspend the operation of, as a law; to give up, release, or do without, as services, attention, etc.; to forego; to part with .(b) To allow by dispensation; to excuse; to exempt; to grant dispensation to or for. Obs. "Conniving and dispensing with open and common adultery." Milton.(c) To break or go back from, as one's word. Obs.
