disperse — to spread or distribute widely over a large area
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to spread or distribute widely over a large area
Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈspɜːrs/
Example Sentences
- The teacher tried to disperse the gossip about her secret chocolate stash, but students had already formed a search committee.
- Scientists study how ocean currents disperse plastic waste across the globe.
- My attempts to disperse my cat's fur around the house are completely unnecessary - she's already a professional at it.
disperse
VERB[/dɪˈspɜːrs/]
to spread or distribute widely over a large area
When the heavy rain suddenly started, the tightly packed crowd immediately began to disperse in all directions.
DIS(apart) + SPERSE(scatter) — swinging his arm to DIS(apart) SPERSE(scatter) the seeds, the farmer managed to disperse them evenly across the field.
Dropping his heavy, stolen purse, the clumsy thief watched the gold coins rapidly disperse across the floor.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Latin 'dispersus', the past participle of 'dispergere', which combines 'dis-' (apart) and 'spargere' (to scatter or spread). The word entered English via Old French 'disperser' in the 14th century.
Breakdown
dis- (apart, in different directions) + sperse (from Latin spargere, to scatter) = disperse (to scatter or spread widely)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The teacher tried to disperse the gossip about her secret chocolate stash, but students had already formed a search committee.”
“Scientists study how ocean currents disperse plastic waste across the globe.”
“My attempts to disperse my cat's fur around the house are completely unnecessary - she's already a professional at it.”
“The morning fog began to disperse as the sun rose higher in the sky.”
📚Related Words
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