The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Disperse \Dis*perse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dispersed; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Dispersing.] [L. dispersus, p. p. of dispergere to
   strew, scatter. See Sparse.]
   1. To scatter abroad; to drive to different parts; to
      distribute; to diffuse; to spread; as, the Jews are
      dispersed among all nations.
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            The lips of the wise disperse knowledge. --Prov. xv.
                                                  7.
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            Two lions, in the still, dark night,
            A herd of beeves disperse.            --Cowper.
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   2. To scatter, so as to cause to vanish; to dissipate; as, to
      disperse vapors.
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            Dispersed are the glories.            --Shak.

   Syn: To scatter; dissipate; dispel; spread; diffuse;
        distribute; deal out; disseminate.
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