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