distribution

[Lat. distributio, from dis tri but us, pa. par. of distribuo =to distribute; Fr. distribution; Ital. distribuzione; Sp. distribucion.] I. Ordinary Language: 1. The act of distributing, dividing, or dealing out to others. "Ample was the boon He gave them, in its distribution fair." Cowper: Task , v. 199, 200. 2. The act of giving in charity; a dispensing of alms. "They glorify God for your profe ed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them."-2 Cor . ix. 13. 3. The dispensing or administering of justice. 4. An a igning, appointing, or allotting to different stations or positions. 5. The act of dividing, arranging, or separating, into cla es, genera, . 6. The act of dispersing or spreading abroad. "By the distribution of his light." Black more: Creation, bk. ii. 7. The state of being dispersed, spread, or scattered. 8. That which is distributed, or dealt out. "Let us govern our charitable distributions by this pattern of nature, and maintain a mutual circulation of benefits and returns."-Atterbury. II. Technically : 1. Arch .: The disposition and arrangement of the several parts of a building according to the rules of art. 2. Law : The distributing of the personal estate of IMG:content-0232.png:[blocks in formation] In a distre ful or painful manner or degree. "I am distre fully deaf."-Johnson. dis-tre -ing, pr . par ., a . & 8. [DISTRESS, v .] A. & B. As pr. par. & particip . adj .: (See the verb.) C. As subst.: The act of causing distre , pain, or anguish to; the state of being distre ed; distre . "Port after storms, joy after long distre ing." P. Fletcher: Eliza. dis-tre -ing-ly, adv . [Eng. distre ing; -ly.] 1. In a distre ing, painful, or agonizing manner. 2. Painfully, unpleasantly. *dis-trib-u-lance, s. [Lat. dis , and tribulans , pr. par. of tribulo to afflict, to trouble.] A disturb ance, an annoyance. "The shiref sall devoide the ground both of him and his gudis, and charge him in the king is name that he mak na mare distribulance to the lorde nor his grovnde in tym to cum."- Acts Jas. II. A. 1457 (ed. 1814), p. 51.