scatter

scatter
scatter [skat′ər]
vt.
[ME skateren, ult. < IE * sked-, to split, disperse < base * sek-, to cut > L secare]
1.
a) to throw here and there or strew loosely; sprinkle
b) to sprinkle over (with) something
2. to separate and drive in many directions; rout; disperse
3. Archaic to waste; dissipate
4. Physics to diffuse or deflect in an irregular, random manner
vi.
to separate and go off in several directions [the crowd scattered]
n.
1. the act or process of scattering
2. that which is scattered about
scatterer
n.
SYN.- SCATTER implies a strewing around loosely [to scatter seeds ] or a forcible driving apart in different directions [the breeze scattered the papers ]; DISPERSE implies a scattering which completely breaks up an assemblage and spreads the individuals far and wide [a people dispersed throughout the world ]; DISSIPATE implies complete dissolution, as by crumbling, wasting, etc. [to dissipate a fortune ]; DISPEL suggests a scattering that drives away something that obscures, confuses, troubles, etc. [to dispel fears ] -ANT. ASSEMBLE, GATHER, COLLECT1

English World dictionary. . 2014.

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  • scatter — 1 Scatter, disperse, dissipate, dispel can mean to cause a group, mass, or assemblage to separate or break up. Scatter may imply the use or operation of force which drives the persons or things in different directions {the hurricane scattered the …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Scatter — Scat ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scattered}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Scattering}.] [OE. scateren. See {Shatter}.] 1. To strew about; to sprinkle around; to throw down loosely; to deposit or place here and there, esp. in an open or sparse order. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • scatter — ● scatter nom masculin (anglais to scatter, disperser) Dispersion relative des résultats partiels obtenus par un sujet à une batterie de tests. scatter [skatɛʀ] n. m. ÉTYM. 1968; mot angl., de to scatter « éparpiller, disperser ». ❖ ♦ Anglic.… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • scatter — scat‧ter [ˈskætə ǁ ər] noun [uncountable] MARKETING used to talk about advertising that is spread over a wide range of television or radio programmes according to what is available, rather than done by selecting particular programmes to sponsor:… …   Financial and business terms

  • Scatter — Scat ter, v. i. To be dispersed or dissipated; to disperse or separate; as, clouds scatter after a storm. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • scatter — index break (fracture), deploy, diffuse, disband, disburse (distribute), dislocate, disorganize …   Law dictionary

  • scatter — (v.) mid 12c., possibly a northern English variant of M.E. schateren (see SHATTER (Cf. shatter)), reflecting Norse influence. Related: Scattered; scattering. Scattershot (adj.) is attested from 1961; figurative use of term for a kind of gun… …   Etymology dictionary

  • scatter — [v] strew, disperse besprinkle, broadcast, cast, derange, diffuse, disband, discard, disject, dispel, disseminate, dissipate, distribute, disunite, diverge, divide, expend, fling, intersperse, litter, migrate, part, pour, put to flight*, run away …   New thesaurus

  • scatter — ► VERB 1) throw in various random directions. 2) separate and move off in different directions. 3) (be scattered) occur or be found at various places rather than all together. 4) Physics deflect or diffuse (electromagnetic radiation or particles) …   English terms dictionary

  • Scatter — In ordinary English, to scatter is to distribute randomly. Scatter also has the following meanings: *In physics, scattering is the study of collisions, especially of waves and particles (synonymous in quantum mechanics). In elastic scattering the …   Wikipedia

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