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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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Disperse \Dis*perse"\, v. i.
   1. To separate; to go or move into different parts; to
      vanish; as, the company dispersed at ten o'clock; the
      clouds disperse.
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   2. To distribute wealth; to share one's abundance with
      others.
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            He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor. --Ps.
                                                  cxii. 9.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

disperse
    v 1: distribute loosely; "He scattered gun powder under the
         wagon" [syn: scatter, sprinkle, dot, dust,
         disperse]
    2: to cause to separate and go in different directions; "She
       waved her hand and scattered the crowds" [syn: disperse,
       dissipate, dispel, break up, scatter]
    3: cause to separate; "break up kidney stones"; "disperse
       particles" [syn: break up, disperse, scatter]
    4: move away from each other; "The crowds dispersed"; "The
       children scattered in all directions when the teacher
       approached"; [syn: disperse, dissipate, scatter,
       spread out]
    5: separate (light) into spectral rays; "the prosm disperses
       light"
    6: cause to become widely known; "spread information";
       "circulate a rumor"; "broadcast the news" [syn: circulate,
       circularize, circularise, distribute, disseminate,
       propagate, broadcast, spread, diffuse, disperse,
       pass around]