scatter

scat·ter

 (skăt′ər)

v. scat·tered, scat·ter·ing, scat·ters

v.tr.

1. To cause to separate and go in different directions: a dog scattering a flock of pigeons.

2.

a. To distribute (something) loosely; strew: Books were scattered across the floor.

b. To strew something over (a surface): The field was scattered with rocks.

3. To diffuse or deflect (radiation or particles).

4. Baseball To allow (hits or walks) in small numbers over several innings. Used of a pitcher.

v.intr.

To separate and go in different directions; disperse: The crowd scattered when it started to rain.

n.

1. The act of scattering or the condition of being scattered.

2. Something scattered: "Outside of Paris, in the middle of a large field, was a scatter of brick buildings" (Lorrie Moore).

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[Middle English scateren, perhaps from northern dialectal alteration of Old English *sceaterian.]

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scat′ter·er n.

Synonyms: scatter, disperse, dissipate, dispel
These verbs mean to cause a mass or aggregate to separate and go in different directions. Scatter refers to loose or haphazard distribution of components: "He had scattered the contents of the table-drawer in his search for a sheet of paper" (Edith Wharton).
Disperse implies the complete breaking up of the mass or aggregate: "only a few industrious Scots perhaps, who indeed are dispersed over the face of the whole earth" (George Chapman).
Dissipate suggests a reduction to nothing: "The main of life is ... composed ... of meteorous pleasures which dance before us and are dissipated" (Samuel Johnson).
Dispel suggests driving away or off by or as if by scattering: "But he ... with high words ... gently raised / Their fainting courage, and dispelled their fears" (John Milton).

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

scatter

(ˈskætə)

vb

1. (tr) to throw about in various directions; strew

2. to separate and move or cause to separate and move in various directions; disperse

3. (General Physics) to deviate or cause to deviate in many directions, as in the diffuse reflection or refraction of light

n

4. the act of scattering

5. a substance or a number of objects scattered about

[C13: probably a variant of shatter]

ˈscatterable adj

ˈscatterer n

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

scat•ter

(ˈskæt ər)

v.t.

1. to throw loosely about: to scatter seeds.

2. to cause to disperse: to scatter a crowd.

3. Physics. to diffuse or deflect (a wave or beam of radiation) by collision with particles of the medium it traverses.

v.i.

4. to separate and disperse.

n.

5. the act of scattering.

6. something that is scattered.

[1125–75; Middle English scateren; compare Middle Dutch, Dutch schateren to burst out laughing]

scat′ter•a•ble, adj.

scat`ter•a′tion, n.

scat′ter•er, n.

syn: scatter, dispel, disperse, dissipate imply separating and driving something away so that its original form disappears. To scatter is to separate something tangible into parts at random and drive these in different directions: The wind scattered leaves all over the lawn. To dispel is to drive away or scatter usu. intangible things so that they vanish: Your explanation has dispelled my doubts. To disperse is usu. to cause a compact or organized tangible body to separate or scatter in different directions, to be reassembled if desired: Tear gas dispersed the mob. To dissipate is usu. to scatter by dissolving or reducing to small atoms or parts that cannot be reunited: He dissipated his money and his energy in useless activities.

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Scatter

 a scattering; a small amount or number. See also sprinkling.

Examples: scatter of diamonds and pearls, 1888; of granite, 1859.

Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

scatter

Past participle: scattered
Gerund: scattering

Imperative

scatter

scatter

Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	scatter - a haphazard distribution in all directions spread dispersion, distribution - the spatial or geographic property of being scattered about over a range, area, or volume; "worldwide in distribution"; "the distribution of nerve fibers"; "in complementary distribution" diffuseness - the spatial property of being spread out over a wide area or through a large volume
	2.	scatter - the act of scattering     strewing, scattering spreading, spread - act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time
Verb	1.	scatter - to cause to separate and go in different directions; "She waved her hand and scattered the crowds" break up, dissipate, dispel, disperse disband - cause to break up or cease to function; "the principal disbanded the political student organization" divide, separate - make a division or separation
	2.	scatter - move away from each other; "The crowds dispersed"; "The children scattered in all directions when the teacher approached"; dissipate, disperse, spread out aerosolise, aerosolize - become dispersed as an aerosol; "the bacteria quickly aerosolised" break - scatter or part; "The clouds broke after the heavy downpour" volley - be dispersed in a volley; "gun shots volleyed at the attackers" part, split, separate - go one's own way; move apart; "The friends separated after the party"
	3.	scatter - distribute loosely; "He scattered gun powder under the wagon" disperse, sprinkle, dot, dust spray - scatter in a mass or jet of droplets; "spray water on someone"; "spray paint on the wall" spray - be discharged in sprays of liquid; "Water sprayed all over the floor" spatter, splatter, plash, swash, splash, splosh - dash a liquid upon or against; "The mother splashed the baby's face with water" splash, sprinkle, splosh - cause (a liquid) to spatter about, especially with force; "She splashed the water around her" discharge - pour forth or release; "discharge liquids" bespangle - dot or sprinkle with sparkling or glittering objects aerosolize, aerosolise - disperse as an aerosol; "The bacteria suspension was aerosolized"
	4.	scatter - sow by scattering; "scatter seeds"   sow, seed - place (seeds) in or on the ground for future growth; "She sowed sunflower seeds"
	5.	scatter - cause to separate; "break up kidney stones"; "disperse particles" disperse, break up change integrity - change in physical make-up backscatter - scatter (radiation) by the atoms of the medium through which it passes
	6.	scatter - strew or distribute over an area; "He spread fertilizer over the lawn"; "scatter cards across the table" spread out, spread pass around, circulate, distribute, pass on - cause be distributed; "This letter is being circulated among the faculty" manure, muck - spread manure, as for fertilization birdlime, lime - spread birdlime on branches to catch birds circumfuse - spread something around something distribute - spread throughout a given area; "the function distributes the values evenly"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

scatter

verb

1. throw about, spread, sprinkle, strew, broadcast, shower, fling, litter, sow, diffuse, disseminate He began by scattering seed and putting in plants.
throw about collect, gather

2. disperse, separate, break up, dispel, disband, dissipate, go their separate ways, disunite, go in different directions, put to flight After dinner, everyone scattered.
disperse assemble, converge, congregate, unite, rally, gather

3. dot, spot, sprinkle, pepper, litter, fleck, stipple bays picturesquely scattered with rocky islets

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

scatter

verb

1. To cause to separate and go in various directions:

dispel, disperse, dissipate.

2. To disappear by or as if by rising:

disperse, dissipate, lift.

3. To extend over a wide area:

circulate, diffuse, disperse, disseminate, distribute, radiate, spread, strew.

The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

يَنتَشِريَنْثُر

rozházetrozptýlit

sprede

zerstreuenstreuenverstreuenstieben

desparramaresparcirdispersardispersarse

sirottaa

disperseréparpillerparsemerrépandrese disperser

szétoszlik

dreifast; tvístrasttvístra; dreifa

disperdersispargeresparpagliarestupidodisseminare

撒く播く散らかす散らす散らばる

išbirtiišblaškyti į visas pusesišsibarstęsišsiblaškėlispabiras

izkliedētizklīstizmētātizsvaidīt

sprestrø

espalhar

рассеиваться

razbežati seraztresti

sprida

rastgele dağıtmak/dağılmaksaçmak

使消散撒散开驱散

scatter

[ˈskætəʳ]

A. VT

1. (= strew around) [+ crumbs, papers etc] → esparcir, desparramar; [+ seeds] → sembrar a voleo, esparcir
the flowers were scattered about on the floor → las flores estaban desparramadas por el suelo
the floor was scattered with flowers → en el suelo había flores desparramadas

2. (= disperse) [+ clouds] → dispersar; [+ crowd] → dispersar
her relatives are scattered about the world → sus familiares se encuentran dispersos por el mundo

B. VI [crowd] → dispersarse
the family scattered to distant parts → la familia se dispersó por lugares alejados

C. N (Math, Tech) → dispersión f
a scatter of houses → unas casas dispersas
a scatter of raindrops → unas gotas dispersas de lluvia

D. CPD scatter cushions NPL → almohadones mpl

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

scatter

[ˈskætə^r]

vt

[+ petals, confetti] → éparpiller, répandre

(= disperse) [+ crowd] → disperser

vi → se disperser

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

scatter

n = scattering

vt

(= distribute at random) → verstreuen; seeds, gravel → streuen (→ on, onto auf +acc); (Phys) light → streuen (→ on, onto auf +acc); money → verschleudern; (= not group together) → (unregelmäßig) verteilen; votes → verteilen (→ between auf +acc); to scatter something around or about → etw überall umherstreuen or verstreuen; to scatter something with something → etw mit etw bestreuen; she knocked the table over, scattering papers all over the room → sie stieß den Tisch um, und die Papiere flogen durch das ganze Zimmer

(= disperse) → auseinandertreiben; demonstrators, crowd also → zerstreuen ? also scattered

vi → sich zerstreuen (→ to in +acc); (in a hurry, in fear) → auseinanderlaufen

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scatter

:

scatterbrain

n (inf) → Schussel m (inf)

scatterbrained

adj (inf) → schuss(e)lig (inf), → zerfahren, flatterhaft

scatter cushion

n → (Sofa)kissen nt

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

scatter

[ˈskætəʳ]

1. vt

a. (gen) → spargere; (papers) → sparpagliare

b. (disperse, crowd, clouds) → disperdere; (enemy) → mettere in fuga
her relatives are scattered about the world → la sua famiglia è sparsa per il mondo

2. vi (crowd) → disperdersi

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

scatter

(ˈskӕtə) verb

1. to (make) go or rush in different directions. The sudden noise scattered the birds; The crowds scattered when the bomb exploded. uitmekaarspat يَنتَشِر пръскам (се) espalhar(-se) rozptýlit (se) zerstreuen sprede; sprede sig σκορπίζωdispersar laiali ajama, hajuma متفرق شدن hajottaa disperser לְהִתפַּזֵר तितर-बितर करना rastjerati (szét)szór; szétoszlik membubarkan tvístra; dreifa disperdere, disperdersi 散らばる 쫓아버리다 išblaškyti/pabirti į visas puses izklīst (uz visām pusēm); izkliedēt bertempiaran uiteenjagen, uiteengaanspre rozproszyć (się) پاشل، تيتول، شيندل، خپرول، espalhar(-se) a (se) risipi, a (se) dispersa разгонять, рассеивать rozptýliť (sa), rozpŕchnuť sa razgnati, razbežati se rasterati skingra[s] กระจัดกระจาย rastgele dağıtmak/dağılmak (使)散開，驅散 розбігатися, кидатися врозтіч بکھیر دینا làm cho chạy tán loạn 使消散，驱散，散开

2. to throw loosely in different directions. The load from the overturned lorry was scattered over the road. uitmekaargooi يَنْثُر разпръсквам (се) espalhar rozházet verstreuen sprede διασκορπίζωesparcirse, desparramarse laiali puistama پراكنده شدن sirottaa éparpiller לְפַזֵר तितर-बितर raspršiti szétszór menyebarkan dreifast; tvístrast sparpagliare, disseminare 散らばす 흩어지게 하다 išbirti izmētāt; izsvaidīt bertaburan verstrooienstrørozsypać شيندل espalhar a (se) împrăştia разбрасывать rozhádzať raztresti rasuti strö (sprida) ut เกลื่อนกลาด saçmak 撒 розкидати, розсипати منتشر کر دینا tung, rải , rắc , gieo 撒

ˈscattered adjective

occasional; not close together. Scattered showers are forecast for this morning; The few houses in the valley are very scattered. versprei مُتَقَطِّع، من حينٍ إلى آخَر разпокъсан espalhado rozptýlený vereinzelt spredt σκόρπιος, διάσπαρτος, αραιόςdisperso aeg-ajaline, hajali پراكنده hajanainen épars פְּזוּרִים विकीर्ण, बिखराव raspršen, rastrkan szétszórt jarang dreifður sparso まばらな 드문드문 한 išsibarstęs, pabiras izmētāts; attāls; atsevišķs di sana-sini verspreidspredt, strødd rozproszony, przelotny پاشل espalhado răzleţ разбросанный rozptýlený; roztrúsený razpršen rasut spridd, strödd กระจัดกระจาย; ไม่อยู่ใกล้กัน seyrek, dağınık, dağılmış 分散的 окремий; розкиданий منتشر lác đác, lưa thưa 分散的

ˈscattering noun

a small amount scattered here and there. a scattering of sugar. strooisel كمِّيَّةٌ مُتناثِرَه разпръскване quantidade espalhada hrstka das Verstreute spredt bunke μικρή ποσότητα από κτ. που βρίσκεται σκόρπια εδώ κι εκεί un poco de... aquí y allá raasuke پخش و پلا شدگی sirottelu petite quantitéפיזור छितराव, बिखराव raspršenost, raštrkanost szétszóródás penyebaran slæðingur, reitingur (piccola quantità) 少量 산재 žiupsnis, truputis neliels skaits/daudzums; saujiņa taburan dun laagjespredning, strøingodrobina, garstka پاشل quantidade espalhada dram небольшое количество pár, trocha; roztrúsenie ščepec gomilica spridning, stänk สิ่งที่อยู่กระจัดกระจาย döküntü, serpinti 零零落落 розсип بکھراؤ số lượng những thứ được tung rắc 零零落落

ˈscatterbrain noun

a forgetful or unreliable person. vergeetagtige persoon شَخْص كَثير النِسْيان وغَيْر مَوْثوق развейпрах doidivanas zmatkář, -ka der Wirrkopf forvirret person άνθρωπος ελαφρόμυαλος, επιπόλαιοςcabeza de chorlito hajameelne inimene آدم هواس پرت höppänä écervelé/-ée מפוזר अविवेकी, ओछा व्यक्ति, चंचल व्यक्ति zaboravljiva i nepouzdana osoba szórakozott ember orang pelupa moðhaus scervellato うかつな人 주의가 산만한 사람 išsiblaškėlis vieglprātis; auša orang yang pelupa warhoofdvims trzpiot(ka) چرتی سری doidivanas zăpăcit вертопрах zmätkár, -ka raztresenec smetenjak virrpanna คนที่ประมาท unutkan kimse 健忘或不可靠的人 вітрогон, легковажна людина فکری انتشار کا شکار، بھلکّڑ người đãng trí 注意力不集中的人

ˈscatterbrained adjective

vergeetagtig مُشَتَّت الفِكْر، مُتَناثِر التَّفْكير вятърничав leviano roztržitý wirrköpfig forvirret ελαφρόμυαλος, επιπόλαιος ligero de cascos hajameelne حواس پرت hajamielinen écerveléמפוזר अविवेकी nepouzdan hebehurgya pelupa óskÿr í hugsun scervellato うかつな 주의가 산만한 išsiblaškęs vieglprātīgs; gaisīgs pelupa warhoofdigvimsete, tankeløs roztrzepany چرتی leviano zăpăcit ветреный, легкомысленный roztržitý raztresen smeten virrig, tanklös ประมาท; เลินเล่อ unutkan 健忘的 легковажний پراگندہ دماغ đãng trí 不专注的

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

scat·ter

v. esparcir, diseminar; dispersar, desparramar.

English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012