scatteration

[ skat-uh-rey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of scattering. scattering.
2. the state of being scattered. scattered.
3. something scattered. scattered.

Word History and Origins

Origin of scatteration¹

First recorded in 1770–80; scatter + -ation

Example Sentences

At last he closed his watch with a snap, stooped to the gun, and with a roar and a rattling crash, and a blasphemous scatteration below, the foretopmast shared the devastation of the mainmast.

From Project Gutenberg

There is no telling how many germs got picked up in that scatteration,” muttered Andy as he stooped and gathered the bandages.

From Project Gutenberg

The notion was recently advanced by Columnist Walter Lippmann, who deplored "scatteration" of U.S. resources and suggested that the U.S. concentrate on the "vital" areas of Europe and the Americas, and more or less ignore Asia and Africa.

From Time Magazine Archive

Above all, Rockefeller's Oregon win increased what has been called the "scatteration" of strength in the Republican presidential picture.

From Time Magazine Archive

Whenever possible, money should be laid out in "massive demonstrations" so that others might copy and ultimately take over, avoiding at all costs the error of "scatteration," the frittering away of too-small funds over too wide a range of charity.

From Time Magazine Archive