scatter
1. scat.ter \'skat-*r\ \-*r-*r\ \'skat-*-rin-le-\ vb [ME scateren] archaic
1: to fling away heedlessly : SQUANDER 2a: to cause to separate widely
2b: to cause to vanish 3: to distribute irregularly 4: to sow broadcast :
STREW 5a: to reflect irregularly and diffusely 5b: to diffuse or disperse
(a beam of radiation) 6: to divide into ineffectual small portions 1: to
separate and go in various directions : DISPERSE 2: to occur or fall
irregularly or at random cause to separate or break up. SCATTER implies a
force that drives parts or units irregularly in many directions; DISPERSE
implies a wider separation and a complete breaking up of a mass or group;
DISSIPATE stresses complete disintegration or dissolution and final
disappearance; DISPEL stresses a driving away or getting rid of as if by
scattering - scat.ter.er n SYN syn SCATTER, DISPERSE, DISSIPATE, DISPEL
mean to
2. scatter n 1: the act of scattering 2: a small supply or number
irregularly distributed or strewn about 3: the state or extent of being
scattered; specif : DISPERSIONM