dole1
n.
-
(often in phr. on the dole)
Brit. informal benefit paid by the state to the unemployed.
▸dated a charitable gift.
- literary a person's lot or destiny.
v.
(
dole something out)
distribute something.
Etymology
OE dāl ‘division, portion, or share’, of Gmc origin; rel. to deal1.
dole2
n.
archaic or
literary sorrow; mourning.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. doel ‘mourning’, from pop. L. dolus, from L. dolere ‘grieve’.