Dole (dōl), n. [OE. deol, doel, dol, OF. doel, fr. doloir to suffer, fr. L. dolere; perh. akin to dolare to hew.] grief; sorrow; lamentation. [Archaic]
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And she died.
So that day there was dole in Astolat. Tennyson.
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Dole, n. [AS. dāl portion; same word as d&aemacr_;l. See Deal.] 1. Distribution; dealing; apportionment.
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At her general dole,
Each receives his ancient soul. Cleveland.
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2. That which is dealt out; a part, share, or portion also, a scanty share or allowance.
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3. Alms; charitable gratuity or portion.
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So sure the dole, so ready at their call,
They stood prepared to see the manna fall. Dryden.
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Heaven has in store a precious dole. Keble.
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4. A boundary; a landmark. Halliwell.
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5. A void space left in tillage. [Prov. Eng.]
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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. -- on the dole, receiving financial assistance from a governmental agency, such as a welfare agency; as, after his unemployment benefits ran out, his family was on the dole for a year.
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