spread

spread [spred]

vt.

spread, spreading [ME spreden < OE sprædan, akin to Ger spreiten < IE * sprei-d-, to sprinkle, strew < base * (s)p(h)er-, to strew, spray, burst (of buds) > SPRAY¹, SPRAWL, SPROUT]

1. to draw out so as to display more fully; open or stretch out so as to cover more space; unfold or unfurl

2. to lay out in display; exhibit

3. to move apart (the fingers, arms, legs, wings, etc.)

4.

a) to distribute over a surface or area; scatter; disperse

b) to distribute among a group [to spread the wealth]

c) to distribute in a thin layer; smear [to spread butter on toast]

d) to cover by smearing (with something) [to spread bread with jelly]

5. to extend or prolong in time [to spread payments over a two-year period]

6. to cause to be widely or more widely known, felt, existent, etc.; disseminate; propagate; diffuse [to spread news, a disease, etc.]

7. to cover, overlay, or deck (with something)

8.

a) to set (a table) for a meal

b) to set (food) on a table

9. to push apart or farther apart

☆ 10. to record in full; enter (on a record)

11. to flatten out (a rivet, etc.) by hammering

vi.

1. to extend itself; be extended or expanded

2. to become distributed or dispersed

3. to be made widely or more widely known, felt, existent, etc.; be disseminated, propagated, or diffused

4. to be pushed apart or farther apart

5. to be of such consistency that it can be distributed in a thin layer, as butter; be capable of being smeared

n.

1. the act of spreading; extension; expansion; diffusion

2.

a) the extent to which something is spread or can be spread

b) the interval or difference between the highest and lowest figures of a set, as of the scores of a test

c) the difference between related prices, rates, etc., as that between the prices at which a broker buys and sells shares of a stock

d) in betting, the number of points by which a team, esp. a football team, is expected to defeat its opponent

3. an expanse; extent; stretch; compass

4.

☆ a) two facing pages of a newspaper, magazine, etc., treated as a single continuous sheet, as in advertising

b) printed matter set across a page, or across several columns, of a newspaper, magazine, etc.

☆ 5. a cloth cover for a table, bed, etc.

☆ 6. any soft substance, as jam, butter, etc., used for spreading on bread

7. Informal a meal, esp. one with a wide variety of food

8. Informal a pretentious display

☆ 9. a ranch, or any large farm or estate

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☆ spread oneself thin

to try to do too many things at once