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intersperse

 - 3 dictionary results

in⋅ter⋅sperse

  [in-ter-spurs]
Use intersperse in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -spersed, -spers⋅ing.
1. to scatter here and there or place at intervals among other things: to intersperse flowers among shrubs.
2. to diversify with something placed or scattered at intervals: to intersperse a dull speech with interesting anecdotes.
Origin:
1560–70; < L interspersus (ptp. of interspergere to strew here and there), equiv. to inter- inter- + -spersus, comb. form of sparsus, ptp. of spargere to scatter; see disperse

Related forms:
in⋅ter⋅spers⋅ed⋅ly  [in-ter-spur-sid-lee] , adverb
in⋅ter⋅sper⋅sion  [in-ter-spur-zhuhn or, especially Brit., -shuhn] , in⋅ter⋅sper⋅sal, noun

Synonyms:
1. strew, sprinkle.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To intersperse
in·ter·sperse   (ĭn'tər-spûrs')   
tr.v.   in·ter·spersed, in·ter·spers·ing, in·ter·spers·es

  1. To distribute among other things at intervals: interspersed red and blue tiles on the walls; intersperse praise with constructive criticism.

  2. To supply or diversify with things distributed at intervals: interspersed lamp fixtures on the large ceiling; a newspaper section that was interspersed with advertisements.


[From Latin interspergere, interspers- : inter-, inter- + spargere, to scatter.]
in'ter·spers'ed·ly (-spûr'sĭd-lē) adv., in'ter·sper'sion (-spûr'zhən, -shən) n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

intersperse 
1566, from L. interspersus "scattered," pp. of *interspergere, from inter- "between" + spargere "to scatter" (see sparse).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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