to divide and give out in shares; deal out; allot.
2.
to disperse through a space or over an area; spread; scatter.
3.
to promote, sell, and ship or deliver (an item or line of merchandise) to individual customers, esp. in a specified region or area.
4.
to pass out or deliver (mail, newspapers, etc.) to intended recipients.
5.
to divide into distinct phases: The process was distributed into three stages.
6.
to divide into classes: These plants are distributed into 22 classes.
7.
Logic. to employ (a term) in a proposition so as to refer to all individuals denoted by the term.
8.
Physical Chemistry. to dissolve uniformly in a solvent consisting of layers of immiscible or partially miscible substances.
9.
Printing.
a.
to roll out (ink) on the table to attain the proper consistency.
b.
to return (type) to the proper place after printing.
[Origin: 1400–50; late ME < L distribūtus, ptp. of distribuere to divide up. See dis-1, tribute]
—Related forms
dis·trib·ut·a·ble, adjective
—Synonyms 1. assign, mete, apportion. Distribute,dispense apply to giving out something. Distribute implies apportioned, individualized giving, esp. of something that is definite or limited in amount or number: The prizes were distributed among ten winners. Dispense formerly implied indiscriminate, general, and liberal giving, esp. of something that was more or less indefinite or unmeasured in amount: to dispense largess. It now applies chiefly to giving according to need or deserts, from an organized and official source: to dispense medicines and food to the victims. 6. dispose, sort, arrange, categorize.
To deliver or pass out: distributing handbills on the street.
To spread or diffuse over an area; scatter: distribute grass seed over the lawn.
To apportion so as to be evenly spread throughout a given area: 180 pounds of muscle that were well distributed over his 6-foot frame.
To spread or diffuse over an area; scatter: distribute grass seed over the lawn.
To apportion so as to be evenly spread throughout a given area: 180 pounds of muscle that were well distributed over his 6-foot frame.
To separate into categories; classify.
Logic To use (a term) so as to include all individuals or entities of a given class.
v.
intr. Mathematics To be distributive.
[Middle English distributen, from Latin distribuere, distribūt- : dis-, apart; see dis- + tribuere, to give; see tribute.]
Synonyms: These verbs mean to give out in portions or shares. Distribute is the least specific: The government distributed land to settlers. Divide implies giving out portions, often equal, on the basis of a plan or purpose: The estate will be divided among the heirs. Dispense stresses the careful determination of portions, often according to measurement or weight: The pharmacist dispensed the medication. Dole, often followed by out, implies careful, usually sparing measurement of portions. It can refer to the distribution of charity: The city doled out surplus milk to the needy.
It can also suggest lack of generosity: The professor doled out meager praise to the students. Deal implies orderly, equitable distribution, often piece by piece: I dealt five cards to each player. Ration refers to equitable division in limited portions of scarce, often necessary, items: The government rationed fuel during the war.
administer or bestow, as in small portions; "administer critical remarks to everyone present"; "dole out some money"; "shell out pocket money for the children"; "deal a blow to someone"; "the machine dispenses soft drinks"
2.
distribute or disperse widely; "The invaders spread their language all over the country" [syn: spread] [ant: collect]
3.
make available; "The publisher wants to distribute the book in Asia"
4.
give to several people; "The teacher handed out the exams"
5.
cause be distributed; "This letter is being circulated among the faculty" [syn: circulate]
6.
cause to become widely known; "spread information"; "circulate a rumor"; "broadcast the news"
7.
spread throughout a given area; "the function distributes the values evenly"
8.
be distributed or spread, as in statistical analyses; "Values distribute"
9.
be mathematically distributive
10.
to arrange in a systematic order; "stagger the chairs in the lecture hall" [syn: stagger]
Dis*trib"ute\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Distributed; p. pr. & vb. n. Distributing.] [L. distributus, p. p. of distribuere to divide, distribute; dis- + tribuere to assign, give, allot. See Tribute.]1. To divide among several or many; to deal out; to apportion; to allot. She did distribute her goods to all them that were nearest of kindred. --Judith xvi. 24. 2. To dispense; to administer; as, to distribute justice. --Shak. 3. To divide or separate, as into classes, orders, kinds, or species; to classify; to assort, as specimens, letters, etc. 4. (Printing) (a) To separate (type which has been used) and return it to the proper boxes in the cases. (b) To spread (ink) evenly, as upon a roller or a table. 5. (Logic) To employ (a term) in its whole extent; to take as universal in one premise. A term is said to be distributed when it is taken universal, so as to stand for everything it is capable of being applied to. --Whately. Syn: To dispense; deal out; apportion; allot; share; assign; divide.
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