a portion or allotment of money, food, etc., esp. as given at regular intervals by a charity or for maintenance.

a dealing out or distributing, esp. in charity.

a form of payment to the unemployed instituted by the British government in 1918.

any similar payment by a government to an unemployed person.

Archaic . one's fate or destiny.

to distribute in charity.

to give out sparingly or in small quantities (usually fol. by out )

The last of the water was doled out to the thirsty crew.

on the dole, receiving payment from the government

as relief

They couldn't afford any luxuries while living on the dole.

noun

allotment , alms , apportionment , benefit , charity , dispensation , distribution , division , donation , gift , grant , gratuity , handout , living wage , mite , modicum , parcel , pittance , portion , quota , relief , share , subsistence , trifle , aid , public assistance , welfare , allocation , allowance , lot , measure , part , quantum , ration , split , allot , dispense , distribute , give , grief , mete , sorrow

phrasal verb

deal , dispense , divide , parcel out , portion , ration , share