Dis*trib"ute (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Distributed; p. pr. & vb. n. Distributing.] [L. distributus, p. p. of distribuere to divide, distribute; dis- + tribuere to assign, give, allot. See Tribute.] 1. To divide among several or many; to deal out; to apportion; to allot.

She did distribute her goods to all them that were nearest of kindred.

2. To dispense; to administer; as, to distribute justice. Shak.

3. To divide or separate, as into classes, orders, kinds, or species; to classify; to assort, as specimens, letters, etc.

4. (Printing) (a) To separate (type which has been used) and return it to the proper boxes in the cases. (b) To spread (ink) evenly, as upon a roller or a table.

5. (Logic) To employ (a term) in its whole extent; to take as universal in one premise.

A term is said to be distributed when it is taken universal, so as to stand for everything it is capable of being applied to.

Syn. -- To dispense; deal out; apportion; allot; share; assign; divide.

Dis*trib"ute, v. i. To make distribution.

Distributing to the necessity of saints.

• (transitive): To divide something into portions and dispense it.
       He distributed the bread amongst his followers.
  
• (transitive): To supply goods to retail outlets.
       The agency distributes newspapers to local shops.
  
• (transitive): To deliver or pass out something.
       A network of children distributes flyers to every house.
  
• (transitive): To scatter or spread something.
       I raked the soil then distributed grass seed.
  
• (transitive): To apportion evenly.
       The robot's six legs distributed its weight over a wide area.
  
• (transitive): To classify or separate into categories.
       The database distributed verbs into transitive and intransitive segments.
  
• (intransitive): (mathematics) To be distributive.