Disburser Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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disburser

[dɪsˈbɜːrsər ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

financial transactions

A person or organization responsible for distributing funds or making payments.

Synonyms

distributor, payer, paymaster.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
disburser

Typically used in a formal or financial context to refer to a person or entity responsible for paying out funds, often from a larger sum of money allocated for a specific purpose.

  • The charity appointed a disburser to distribute the donations to various projects.
  • As the disburser, she made sure all departments received their budget allocations on time.
payer

Generally used in everyday language and financial contexts to refer to a person or entity that makes a payment, often in the context of transactions, bills, or salary.

  • As the payer, it's important to keep a record of all transactions.
  • The borrower became the payer of the mortgage.
distributor

Commonly used in business and marketing to refer to a person or company involved in the supply chain, responsible for getting products from manufacturers to retailers or consumers.

  • The company partnered with a new distributor to expand its market reach.
  • Distributors play a crucial role in ensuring products are available to consumers in different regions.
paymaster

Used in formal or specific institutional contexts, often military or large organizations, to denote someone who handles the payroll or payments to employees or members.

  • The paymaster was responsible for delivering salaries to the soldiers.
  • In large corporations, the paymaster oversees all employee compensation.

Examples of usage

  • The disburser issued checks to the employees at the end of the month.
  • The disburser handled all the payments for the project.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Finance

  • In finance, a disburser handles funds for projects, ensuring that money is allocated appropriately to various expenses.
  • Understanding cash flow is crucial for disbursers, as they must manage when and how much money is distributed to avoid shortages.

Legal

  • Disbursing agents often fulfill legal duties in situations such as bankruptcies, where they ensure that creditors are paid properly.
  • In government contexts, disbursers might be responsible for distributing grant money to approved projects, requiring strict adherence to regulations.

Cultural Practice

  • Many cultures have traditional roles similar to disbursers, like communal leaders who allocate resources among community members during festivals.
  • In some cultures, a disburser can be seen as a symbol of trust, acting as the 'bank' for shared societal resources during collective events.

Pop Culture

  • Movies often portray financial advisors or accountants as disbursers, tasked with managing funds to resolve conflicts in plots.
  • In video games, the term can be used for characters that distribute resources to players, emphasizing teamwork and strategy.

Origin of 'disburser'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'disburse' comes from the Middle English word 'disburse', derived from the Old French 'desbourser', meaning to pay out.
  • The prefix 'dis-' meaning 'apart' or 'asunder' combined with 'burse', which references a purse, indicates taking money out of a purse.

The word 'disburser' originated from the combination of the prefix 'dis-' meaning 'apart' or 'away', and the word 'burse' which comes from the Middle English 'burse' meaning 'a purse or bag'. The concept of a disburser has been around for centuries, as the need to distribute funds or make payments has always been a crucial part of financial transactions.


See also: disbursement, disbursements.