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

"This result suggests that the surface layer absorbs or scatters SEs from the second layer. This absorption contributes to the method's depth sensitivity."

From Science Daily

But the ferocious winds that followed the blaze ripped through the area and tore more than half of the remaining avocados off the trees, scattering them across his 2-acre farm.

From Los Angeles Times

One of campaigners' main concerns in regards to landmines is the danger these weapons present to civilians, killing indiscriminately as they are buried underground or scattered on the surface.

From BBC

"All the scattered seeds soon grew in to plants and they were much healthier and stronger than the saplings I had planted," says Dr Matthew.

From BBC

She was executed for scattering leaflets at the University of Munich, decrying the inhumanity of the war.

From Salon

Related Words

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