browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
scatter |
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}]
more about scatter