Agency Dictionary

Dispensary

nounPronunciation: /dɪˈspɛn.sər.i/

What does “Dispensary” mean?

A specialized retail storefront or clinic legally authorized to dispense medical or recreational products, particularly cannabis. In branding, it represents the key point of consumer sale.

Etymology

Formed from dispense and the suffix -ary, after Medieval Latin words built on Latin dispensare, "to weigh out, to distribute", a frequentative of dispendere, formed from dis- ("out, apart") and pendere ("to weigh"). In English since the late 17th century, for a room where medicines are prepared and handed over and for a charitable clinic. The sense of a licensed shop selling cannabis arose in the United States at the end of the 20th century with the laws on medical cannabis.

Usage note

In British English a dispensary is the part of a pharmacy or hospital where prescriptions are made up. In North America the word now most often means a licensed cannabis shop.

Synonyms

pharmacy
clinic
apothecary
infirmary

Often confused with

dispenser: A dispenser is a device or person that gives something out; a dispensary is the place where it is given out.

Word family

dispense
dispenser
dispensation
dispensable
indispensable

Concept

Niche SpecializationNiche specialization is a strategic business practice where a professional or company concentrates resources and expertise on a sharply defined market segment. By…

Source editions

Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.

Creative.8 - Keith RomanowskiJuly 24, 2023Read the edition

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