Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

spread       (sprěd)  Pronunciation Key  v.   spread, spread·ing, spreads v.   tr. 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.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
spread  (v.)

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
spread  (n.)

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

spread
adjective
1.	distributed or spread over a considerable extent; "has ties with many widely dispersed friends"; "eleven million Jews are spread throughout Europe" [syn: dispersed]
2.	prepared or arranged for a meal; especially having food set out; "a table spread with food"
3.	fully extended in width; "outspread wings"; "with arms spread wide" [syn: outspread]
noun
1.	process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
2.	a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures; "gap between income and outgo"; "the spread between lending and borrowing costs" [syn: gap]
3.	farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle) [syn: ranch]
4.	a haphazard distribution in all directions [syn: scatter]
5.	a tasty mixture to be spread on bread or crackers or used in preparing other dishes
6.	a meal that is well prepared and greatly enjoyed; "a banquet for the graduating seniors"; "the Thanksgiving feast"; "they put out quite a spread" [syn: banquet]
7.	two facing pages of a book or other publication
8.	the expansion of a person's girth (especially at middle age); "she exercised to avoid that middle-aged spread"
9.	decorative cover for a bed [syn: bedspread]
10.	act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time
verb
1.	distribute or disperse widely; "The invaders spread their language all over the country" [ant: collect]
2.	become distributed or widespread; "the infection spread"; "Optimism spread among the population"
3.	spread across or over; "A big oil spot spread across the water"
4.	spread out or open from a closed or folded state; "open the map"; "spread your arms" [syn: unfold] [ant: fold]
5.	cause to become widely known; "spread information"; "circulate a rumor"; "broadcast the news"
6.	become widely known and passed on; "the rumor spread"; "the story went around in the office" [syn: go around]
7.	strew or distribute over an area; "He spread fertilizer over the lawn"; "scatter cards across the table"
8.	move outward; "The soldiers fanned out" [syn: diffuse]
9.	cover by spreading something over; "spread the bread with cheese"
10.	distribute over a surface in a layer; "spread cheese on a piece of bread"

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Spread

Spread\, n. 1. An arbitrage transaction operated by buying and selling simultaneously in two separate markets, as Chicago and New York, when there is an abnormal difference in price between the two markets. It is called a

back spreadwhen the difference in price is less than the normal one.

2. (Gems) Surface in proportion to the depth of a cut stone.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Spread

Priv"i*lege\, n. [F. privil[`e]ge, L. privilegium an ordinance or law against or in favor of an individual; privus private + lex, legis, law. See Private, and Legal.]

1. A peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor; a right or immunity not enjoyed by others or by all; special enjoyment of a good, or exemption from an evil or burden; a prerogative; advantage; franchise.

He pleads the legal privilege of a Roman. --Kettlewell.

The privilege birthright was a double portion. --Locke.

A people inheriting privileges, franchises, and liberties. --Burke.

2. (Stockbroker's Cant) See Call, Put, Spread, etc.

Breach of privilege. See under Breach.

Question of privilege (Parliamentary practice), a question which concerns the security of a member of a legislative body in his special privileges as such.

Water privilege, the advantage of having machinery driven by a stream, or a place affording such advantage. [ U. S.]

Writ of privilege (Law), a writ to deliver a privileged person from custody when arrested in a civil suit. --Blackstone.

Syn: Prerogative; immunity; franchise; right; claim; liberty.

Usage: Privilege, Prerogative. Privilege, among the Romans, was something conferred upon an individual by a private law; and hence, it denotes some peculiar benefit or advantage, some right or immunity, not enjoyed by the world at large. Prerogative, among the Romans, was the right of voting first; and, hence, it denotes a right of precedence, or of doing certain acts, or enjoying certain privileges, to the exclusion of others. It is the privilege of a member of Congress not to be called in question elsewhere for words uttered in debate. It is the prerogative of the president to nominate judges and executive officers. It is the privilege of a Christian child to be instructed in the true religion. It is the prerogative of a parent to govern and direct his children.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Spread

Sprad\, obs. p. p. of Spread. --Chaucer.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Spread

Sprad"de\, obs. imp. of Spread. --Chaucer.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Spread

Spray\, n. [probably from a Dutch or Low German form akin to E. spread. See Spread, v. t.]

1. Water flying in small drops or particles, as by the force of wind, or the dashing of waves, or from a waterfall, and the like.

2. (Med.) (a) A jet of fine medicated vapor, used either as an application to a diseased part or to charge the air of a room with a disinfectant or a deodorizer. (b) An instrument for applying such a spray; an atomizer.

Spray condenser (Steam Engine) an injection condenser in which the steam is condensed by a spray of water which mingles with it.