disperse
VerbUS[dih-spurs]/dɪˈspɝs/2 syllables
Synonyms:
scattersprinkledotdustdissipatedispelbreak upspread outcirculatecircularizecircularisedistribute
Open English WordNet
Verb (6)dispersed, dispersing
- distribute loosely“He scattered gun powder under the wagon”Synonyms: scattersprinkledotdustMore general dischargeMore specific sprinkle, spray, spatter, aerosolize, bespangle
- to cause to separate and go in different directions“She waved her hand and scattered the crowds”Synonyms: dissipatedispelbreak upscatterMore general separate, divideMore specific disband
- cause to separate“break up kidney stones”“disperse particles”Synonyms: break upscatterMore general change integrityMore specific backscatter
- move away from each other“The crowds dispersed”“The children scattered in all directions when the teacher approached”Synonyms: dissipatescatterspread outMore general separate, partMore specific break, aerosolize, volley
- separate (light) into spectral rays“the prism disperses light”More general separate
- cause to become widely known“spread information”“circulate a rumor”“broadcast the news”Synonyms: circulatecircularizecircularisedistributedisseminatepropagatebroadcastspreaddiffusepass aroundMore general publicize, publiciseMore specific carry, sow, popularize, podcastCauses go around, spreadSimilar go around, spread
Word of the day · Nov 3About this word
incessantadjective
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Dis·perse′ transitive verb [past tense & past participle Dispersed; present participle & verbal noun Dispersing.]
Origin: 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.
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge.— Prov. xv. 7.
Two lions, in the still, dark night, A herd of beeves disperse.— William Cowper
2. To scatter, so as to cause to vanish; to dissipate; as, to disperse vapors.
Dispersed are the glories.— William Shakespeare
Synonyms: To scatter; dissipate; dispel; spread; diffuse; distribute; deal out; disseminate.
Dis·perse′ intransitive verb
1. To separate; to go or move into different parts; to vanish; as, the company dispersed at ten o'clock; the clouds disperse.
2. To distribute wealth; to share one's abundance with others.
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor.— Ps. cxii. 9.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54