3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Scatter  \Scat"ter\,  v.  i. 
  To  be  dispersed  or  dissipated;  to  disperse  or  separate;  as 
  clouds  scatter  after  a  storm. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  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 
 
  And  some  are  scattered  all  the  floor  about 
  --Chaucer. 
 
  Why  should  my  muse  enlarge  on  Libyan  swains,  Their 
  scattered  cottages,  and  ample  plains?  --Dryden. 
 
  Teach  the  glad  hours  to  scatter,  as  they  fly,  Soft 
  quiet,  gentle  love,  and  endless  joy.  --Prior. 
 
  2.  To  cause  to  separate  in  different  directions;  to  reduce 
  from  a  close  or  compact  to  a  loose  or  broken  order  to 
  dissipate;  to  disperse. 
 
  Scatter  and  disperse  the  giddy  Goths.  --Shak. 
 
  3.  Hence  to  frustrate,  disappoint,  and  overthrow;  as  to 
  scatter  hopes,  plans,  or  the  like 
 
  Syn:  To  disperse;  dissipate;  spread;  strew. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  scatter 
  n  1:  a  haphazard  distribution  in  all  directions  [syn:  {spread}] 
  2:  the  act  of  scattering  [syn:  {scattering},  {strewing}] 
  v  1:  to  cause  to  separate  and  go  in  different  directions,  of 
  crowds,  for  example;  "She  waved  her  hand  and  scattered 
  the  crows."  [syn:  {disperse},  {dissipate},  {dispel},  {break 
  up}] 
  2:  move  away  from  each  other  "The  crowds  dispersed";  "The 
  children  scattered  in  all  directions  when  the  teacher 
  approached";  [syn:  {disperse},  {dissipate},  {spread  out}] 
  3:  distribute  loosely;  "He  scattered  gun  powder  under  the 
  wagon."  [syn:  {sprinkle},  {dot},  {dust},  {disperse}] 
  4:  sow  by  scattering 
  5:  cause  to  separate;  "break  up  kidney  stones";  "disperse 
  particles"  [syn:  {break  up},  {disperse}] 
  6:  strew  or  distribute  over  an  area;  "He  spread  fertilizer  over 
  the  lawn";  "scatter  cards  across  the  table"  [syn:  {spread}, 
  {spread  out}] 

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