a betting device, established by oddsmakers and used to attract bettors for uneven competitions, indicating the estimated number of points by which a stronger team can be expected to defeat a weaker team, the point spread being added to the weaker team's actual points in the game and this new figure then compared to the stronger team's points to determine winning bets.
To open to a fuller extent or width; stretch: spread out the tablecloth; a bird spreading its wings.
To make wider the gap between; move farther apart: spread her fingers.
To distribute over a surface in a layer: spread varnish on the steps.
To cover with a layer: spread a cracker with butter.
To distribute widely: The tornado spread destruction.
To make a wide or extensive arrangement of: We spread the bicycle parts out on the floor.
To exhibit or display the full extent of: the scene that was spread before us.
To prepare (a table) for eating; set.
To arrange (food or a meal) on a table.
To distribute widely: The tornado spread destruction.
To make a wide or extensive arrangement of: We spread the bicycle parts out on the floor.
To exhibit or display the full extent of: the scene that was spread before us.
To prepare (a table) for eating; set.
To arrange (food or a meal) on a table.
To cause to become widely seen or known; scatter or disseminate: spread the news; spread the beam of the flashlight.
To prepare (a table) for eating; set.
To arrange (food or a meal) on a table.
To flatten (a rivet end, for example) by pounding.
v.
intr.
To be extended or enlarged.
To become distributed or widely dispersed.
To increase in range of occurrence; become known or prevalent over a wide area: The word spread fast.
To be exhibited, displayed, or visible in broad or full extent: the vista spread seemingly to infinity.
To become or admit of being distributed in a layer.
To become separated; be forced farther apart.
n.
The act of spreading.
Dissemination, as of news; diffusion.
An open area of land; an expanse.
A ranch, a farm, or an estate.
Two facing pages of a magazine or newspaper, often with related matter extending across the fold.
A story or advertisement running across two or more columns of a magazine or newspaper.
A position taken in two or more options or futures contracts in order to profit from a change in their relative prices.
The difference between the price asked and bid for a particular security.
An open area of land; an expanse.
A ranch, a farm, or an estate.
Two facing pages of a magazine or newspaper, often with related matter extending across the fold.
A story or advertisement running across two or more columns of a magazine or newspaper.
A position taken in two or more options or futures contracts in order to profit from a change in their relative prices.
The difference between the price asked and bid for a particular security.
The extent or limit to which something is or can be spread; range.
A cloth covering for a bed, table, or other piece of furniture.
Informal An abundant meal laid out on a table.
A food to be spread on bread or crackers.
Two facing pages of a magazine or newspaper, often with related matter extending across the fold.
A story or advertisement running across two or more columns of a magazine or newspaper.
A position taken in two or more options or futures contracts in order to profit from a change in their relative prices.
The difference between the price asked and bid for a particular security.
A difference, as between two figures or totals.
A position taken in two or more options or futures contracts in order to profit from a change in their relative prices.
The difference between the price asked and bid for a particular security.
A number of points offered to equalize the chances of winning in a wager on a competition, usually between sports teams. Also called point spread.
Wingspread.
[Middle English spreden, from Old English -sprǣdan (as in tōsprǣdan, to spread out); see sper- in Indo-European roots.] spread'a·bil'i·ty n., spread'a·ble adj., spread'a·bly adv.
(sprěd) 
