Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (v. t.) To divide among several or many; to deal out; to apportion; to allot.

2. (v. t.) To dispense; to administer; as, to distribute justice.

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

4. (v. t.) To separate (type which has been used) and return it to the proper boxes in the cases.

5. (v. t.) To spread (ink) evenly, as upon a roller or a table.

6. (v. t.) To employ (a term) in its whole extent; to take as universal in one premise.

7. (v. i.) To make distribution.