Distribute (4,3) Crossword Clue
Answer: METE OUT (7 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Distribute (4,3)" with 7 letters is "METE OUT".Mete out means to distribute or allocate something, often referring to punishment, rewards, or resources, in a fair or prescribed manner. It is commonly used in contexts where consequences, such as justice or penalties, are handed out to individuals based on their actions.
Why “Mete Out” Fits
The clue asks for a phrase (4,3) meaning “distribute.” The answer, METE OUT, fits perfectly:
- Distribute: Mete out means to give, distribute, or allocate something—often punishment, justice, or rewards—in measured or deliberate portions. This directly aligns with the clue’s meaning.
- Direct match: With the enumeration (4,3), the phrase mete out matches the structure exactly.
- Precise meaning: The expression conveys the act of dispensing something systematically or in measured amounts, fitting the definition of “distribute” both literally and figuratively.
The phrase mete out has deep historical roots and a formal tone:
- Origin and usage: From Old English metan, meaning “to measure,” the phrase evolved through Middle English to mean “to deal out or apportion.” It appears frequently in classical, legal, and literary English.
Contexts:
- Punishment or justice: “The court meted out severe sentences.”
- Rewards or resources: “The teacher meted out praise to the diligent students.”
- Abstract distribution: “Fate metes out fortune unevenly.”
Examples:
- “He was known to mete out justice fairly.”
- “The tribe’s leader meted out portions of grain to each family.”
- “Critics said the committee meted out blame without due process.”
In quick crosswords like “distribute (4,3)”, clues often rely on common idiomatic expressions rather than single straightforward verbs:
- While deal out (4,3) or hand out (4,3) might fit semantically, mete out is the closest match in idiomatic usage and frequency, especially within formal or literary contexts.
- Recognizing the old-fashioned phrasing helps solvers distinguish mete out from modern synonyms.
- The clue’s neutral wording “distribute” applies broadly, hinting at an established phrase like mete out rather than an everyday expression like hand out.
