spreading

spread  (sprd)

v. spread, spread·ing, spreads

v.tr.

1. To open to a fuller extent or width; stretch: spread out the tablecloth; a bird spreading its wings.

2. To make wider the gap between; move farther apart: spread her fingers.

3.

a. To distribute over a surface in a layer: spread varnish on the steps.

b. To cover with a layer: spread a cracker with butter.

4.

a. To distribute widely: The tornado spread destruction.

b. To make a wide or extensive arrangement of: We spread the bicycle parts out on the floor.

c. To exhibit or display the full extent of: the scene that was spread before us.

5. To cause to become widely seen or known; scatter or disseminate: spread the news; spread the beam of the flashlight.

6.

a. To prepare (a table) for eating; set.

b. To arrange (food or a meal) on a table.

7. To flatten (a rivet end, for example) by pounding.

v.intr.

1. To be extended or enlarged.

2. To become distributed or widely dispersed.

3. To increase in range of occurrence; become known or prevalent over a wide area: The word spread fast.

4. To be exhibited, displayed, or visible in broad or full extent: the vista spread seemingly to infinity.

5. To become or admit of being distributed in a layer.

6. To become separated; be forced farther apart.

n.

1.

a. The act of spreading.

b. Dissemination, as of news; diffusion.

2.

a. An open area of land; an expanse.

b. A ranch, a farm, or an estate.

3. The extent or limit to which something is or can be spread; range.

4. A cloth covering for a bed, table, or other piece of furniture.

5. Informal An abundant meal laid out on a table.

6. A food to be spread on bread or crackers.

7.

a. Two facing pages of a magazine or newspaper, often with related matter extending across the fold.

b. A story or advertisement running across two or more columns of a magazine or newspaper.

8. A difference, as between two figures or totals.

9.

a. A position taken in two or more options or futures contracts in order to profit from a change in their relative prices.

b. The difference between the price asked and bid for a particular security.

10. A number of points offered to equalize the chances of winning in a wager on a competition, usually between sports teams. Also called point spread.

11. Wingspread.

Idiom:

spread (oneself) thin

To work on too many projects: overextend oneself.

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[Middle English spreden, from Old English -sprdan (as in tsprdan, to spread out); see sper- in Indo-European roots.]

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spreada·bili·ty n.

spreada·ble adj.

spreada·bly adv.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	spreading - process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space spread change of location, travel - a movement through space that changes the location of something diffusion - the spread of social institutions (and myths and skills) from one society to another dispersion, scattering - spreading widely or driving off invasion - (pathology) the spread of pathogenic microorganisms or malignant cells to new sites in the body; "the tumor's invasion of surrounding structures" irradiation - (physiology) the spread of sensory neural impulses in the cortex radiation - the spread of a group of organisms into new habitats
	2.	spreading - the opening of a subject to widespread discussion and debate airing, dissemination, public exposure transmission - communication by means of transmitted signals circulation - the dissemination of copies of periodicals (as newspapers or magazines) propagation, extension - the spreading of something (a belief or practice) into new regions
	3.	spreading - act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time spread extension - act of expanding in scope; making more widely available; "extension of the program to all in need" circulation - the spread or transmission of something (as news or money) to a wider group or area dispersal, dispersion, dissemination, diffusion - the act of dispersing or diffusing something; "the dispersion of the troops"; "the diffusion of knowledge" strewing, scatter, scattering - the act of scattering decentralisation, decentralization - the spread of power away from the center to local branches or governments