Dole (?), n. [OE. deol, doel, dol, OF. doel, fr. doloir to suffer, fr. L. dolere; perh. akin to dolare to hew.]
grief; sorrow; lamentation.
[Archaic]
And she died.
So that day there was dole in Astolat.
Tennyson.
© Webster 1913.
Dole, n. [L. dolus: cf. F. dol.] ScotsLaw
See Dolus.
© Webster 1913.
Dole, n. [AS. dal portion; same word as dl. See Deal.]
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.
Dryden.
Heaven has in store a precious dole.
Keble.
4.
A boundary; a landmark.
Halliwell.
5.
A void space left in tillage.
[Prov. Eng.]
Dole beer, beer bestowed as alms. [Obs.] -- Dole bread, bread bestowed as alms. [Obs.] -- Dole meadow, a meadow in which several persons have a common right or share.
© Webster 1913.
Dole (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Doled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Doling.]
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.
De Quincey.
© Webster 1913.