Plural of dispensation: either exemptions from rules, the distribution of something, or in theology, distinct periods in God's relationship with humanity.
From Latin 'dispensatio' meaning distribution or management, from 'dispensare'. The 'tion' suffix creates nouns from verbs.
Medieval Catholic popes literally sold 'dispensations'—exemptions from Church rules—as a major source of income, which eventually sparked the Protestant Reformation when Martin Luther objected to this practice.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.