Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Dole \Dole\, n. [AS. d[=a]l portion; same word as d?l. See
   {Deal}.]
   1. Distribution; dealing; apportionment.

            At her general dole, Each receives his ancient soul.
                                                  -- Cleveland.

   2. That which is dealt out; a part, share, or portion also, a
      scanty share or allowance.

Dole \Dole\, n. [OE. deol, doel, dol, OF. doel, fr. doloir to
   suffer, fr. L. dolere; perh. akin to dolare to hew.]
   grief; sorrow; lamentation. [Archaic]

         And she died. So that day there was dole in Astolat. --
                                                  Tennyson.

Dole \Dole\, n. [L. dolus: cf. F. dol.] (Scots Law)
   See {Dolus}.

Dole \Dole\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Doled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Doling}.]
   To deal out in small portions; to distribute, as a dole; to
   deal out scantily or grudgingly.

         The supercilious condescension with which even his
         reputed friends doled out their praises to him. --De
                                                  Quincey.

Source : WordNet®

dole
     n 1: a share of money or food or clothing that has been
          charitably given
     2: money received from the state [syn: {pogy}, {pogey}]