dispensation vs sanction

dispensation

noun
  • That which is dispensed, dealt out, or given; that which is bestowed on someone 

  • In the Roman Catholic Church, an exemption from some ecclesiastical law, or from an obligation to God which a person has incurred of his own free will (oaths, vows, etc.). 

  • The act of dispensing or dealing out; distribution 

  • A system of principles, promises, and rules ordained and administered; scheme; economy 

  • The distribution of good and evil by God to man. 

  • The relaxation of a law in a particular case; permission to do something forbidden, or to omit doing something enjoined; exemption. 

sanction

noun
  • An approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid. 

  • A penalty, punishment, or some coercive measure, intended to ensure compliance; especially one adopted by several nations, or by an international body. 

  • A law, treaty, or contract, or a clause within a law, treaty, or contract, specifying any of the above. 

verb
  • To penalize (a state etc.) with sanctions. 

  • To ratify; to make valid. 

  • To give official authorization or approval to; to countenance. 

How often have the words dispensation and sanction occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )