distribute: implies an apportioning by separation of something into parts, units, or amounts and a spreading out of those parts equally, systematically, or at random: ~d the work to all employees.    这个词很常用，来自词根TRIB表示to give,pay给   （apportion本身表示按照某种原则比例分配implies a dividing according to some principle of equal or proportionate distribution，如profits were apportioned according to a predetermined ratio根据预定比例分配利润）  


dispense: suggests the giving of a carefully weighed or measured portion to each of a group according to need or as a right or as due: ~d medicine during the epidemic.  


divide: stresses the separation of a whole into parts before giving out or delivering and implies that the parts are equal: three charitable groups ~d the proceeds.    proceeds 买卖等的收入收益


deal: emphasizes the allotment of something piece by piece in turn to each of the members of a group: ~ out equipment and supplies to each soldier.   如whose turn is it to deal该谁发牌了


dole: implies a scantiness or niggardliness in the amount dispensed: ~d out the little food there was.   (niggardly小气吝啬的，花费最小implies giving or spending the very smallest amount possible，如gave his wife a niggardly Household allowance给他妻子的生活费少得可怜)


distribute分配: 指将某物分发(separate and spread out)，平均地系统地或随机地，dispense配给: 表示仔细衡量供给所需的有权的应得的，divide均分瓜分: 指每份相等，deal分发: 强调一件一件按顺序发给每人，如发牌，dole少量配给施舍: 表示给出的数量少


记忆方法: 1）首字母5D想成5个枣Dates<==分配         <说文>中说: "配,酒色也"，"配"的原义是"用不同的酒配制而成的颜色"，所有有酒字旁，后引申为（按适当的标准或比例）调和安排补充，如配色配菜般配配件配偶，分配里的"配"表示安排，类似调配配送发配

         2）分配的意思是分给每个成员mean to give out, usually in shares, to each member of a group.