scatter
Use Scatter in a sentence
ər verb (used with object)
1.
to throw loosely about; distribute at irregular intervals: to scatter seeds.
2.
to separate and drive off in various directions; disperse: to scatter a crowd.
3.
Physics.
a.
to refract or diffract (light or other electromagnetic radiation) irregularly so as to diffuse in many directions.
b.
(of a medium) to diffuse or deflect (light or other wave phenomena) by collisions between the wave and particles of the medium.
verb (used without object)
4.
to separate and disperse; go in different directions.
Origin:
1125–75; Middle English scatere; compare Dutch schateren to burst out laughing
1125–75; Middle English scatere; compare Dutch schateren to burst out laughing
Related forms
scat·ter·a·ble, adjective
scat·ter·er, noun
scat·ter·ing·ly, adverb
Synonyms
1. broadcast. See sprinkle. 2. Scatter, dispel, disperse, dissipate imply separating and driving something away so that its original form disappears. To scatter is to separate something tangible into parts at random, and drive these in different directions: The wind scattered leaves all over the lawn. To dispel is to drive away or scatter usually intangible things so that they vanish or cease to exist: Photographs of the race dispelled all doubts as to which horse won. To disperse is usually to cause a compact or organized tangible body to separate or scatter in different directions, to be reassembled if desired: Tear gas dispersed the mob. To dissipate is usually to scatter by dissolving or reducing to small atoms or parts that cannot be brought together again: He dissipated his money and his energy in useless activities.
1. broadcast. See sprinkle. 2. Scatter, dispel, disperse, dissipate imply separating and driving something away so that its original form disappears. To scatter is to separate something tangible into parts at random, and drive these in different directions: The wind scattered leaves all over the lawn. To dispel is to drive away or scatter usually intangible things so that they vanish or cease to exist: Photographs of the race dispelled all doubts as to which horse won. To disperse is usually to cause a compact or organized tangible body to separate or scatter in different directions, to be reassembled if desired: Tear gas dispersed the mob. To dissipate is usually to scatter by dissolving or reducing to small atoms or parts that cannot be brought together again: He dissipated his money and his energy in useless activities.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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|
Link To scatter
00:10
Scatter
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is peculate. Does it mean:
| to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable. |
| to steal or take dishonestly (money, esp. public funds, or property entrusted to one's care); embezzle. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
scatter (ˈskætə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | (tr) to throw about in various directions; strew |
| 2. | to separate and move or cause to separate and move in various directions; disperse |
| 3. | to deviate or cause to deviate in many directions, as in the diffuse reflection or refraction of light |
| —n | |
| 4. | the act of scattering |
| 5. | a substance or a number of objects scattered about |
| [C13: probably a variant of | |
| 'scatterable | |
| —adj | |
| 'scatterer | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
scatter
1154, possibly a northern Eng. variant of M.E. schateren (see shatter), reflecting Norse influence. Scatterbrain is first recorded 1790. Scattershot (adj.) is attested from 1961, fig. use of term for a kind of gun charge meant to broadcast the pellets when fired.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
scatter scat·ter (skāt'ər)
v. scat·tered, scat·ter·ing, scat·ters
To cause to separate and go in different directions.
To separate and go in different directions; disperse.
To deflect radiation or particles.
The act of scattering or the condition of being scattered.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
Pour nectarines into baking dish or ramekins, scatter blackberries on top and sprinkle with the processed mixture.
Add the white wine and scatter the mushrooms around the fillets.
Pyrotechnics are used to scatter blackbirds for bird control, though only during the day, given the birds' poor vision.
But it'll be damned near impossible to convene the faculty once they scatter to get away from the students.
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