Crossword Genius

The meter he can do without (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dispenser

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'the meter' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'he can do without' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'he' could be 'spenser' and 'spenser' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'di' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for dispenser that I've seen before include "Chemist" , "One filling prescription" , "ATM" , "Container releasing its contents in prescribed amounts" , "one to give out" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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