scatter

[ skat-er ]

verb (used with object)

1. to throw loosely about; distribute at irregular intervals:

   to scatter seeds.

   Synonyms: broadcast

2. to separate and drive off in various directions; disperse:

   to scatter a crowd.

3. Physics.
   1. to refract or diffract (light or other electromagnetic radiation ) irregularly so as to diffuse in many directions.
   2. (of a medium) to diffuse or deflect (light or other wave phenomena) by collisions between the wave and particles of the medium.

verb (used without object)

1. to separate and disperse; go in different directions.

noun

1. the act of scattering.
2. something that is scattered.

scatter

/ ˈskætə /

verb

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. to deviate or cause to deviate in many directions, as in the diffuse reflection or refraction of light

noun

1. the act of scattering
2. a substance or a number of objects scattered about

Derived Forms

• ˈscatterer, noun
• ˈscatterable, adjective

Other Words From

• scatter·a·ble adjective
• scatter·er noun
• scatter·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of scatter¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English scatere; compare Dutch schateren “to burst out laughing”

Word History and Origins

Origin of scatter¹

C13: probably a variant of shatter

Synonym Study

See sprinkle. 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 usually intangible things so that they vanish or cease to exist: Photographs of the race dispelled all doubts as to which horse won. To disperse is usually 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 usually to scatter by dissolving or reducing to small atoms or parts that cannot be brought together again: He dissipated his money and his energy in useless activities.

Example Sentences

Instead, HOPO’s drug, which can target uranium and plutonium — elements found in nuclear weapons before they detonate — is better equipped to protect bomb makers, nuclear plant operators and victims of “dirty bombs,” conventional explosions that scatter radioactive material to harm bystanders.

From Los Angeles Times

One day, after hosting a dinner with some friends to honour Kris and the brave conversations she had, Maren spontaneously felt the time was right to scatter some of them.

From BBC

Startled from their reverie, flurries of native hens - which piyura kitina is named after - scatter over the mossy grass as we arrive.

From BBC

These weapons, delivered mostly in artillery shells, scatter multiple bomblets, and are banned by more than 100 countries because of the risk they pose to civilians.

From BBC

Chandler said she also worried that clearing encampments would cause people to scatter throughout the city and make it harder for outreach workers to locate them.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• discard
• distribute
• divide
• fling
• litter
• pour
• shatter
• shower
• spray
• spread
• sprinkle