Disperse \Dis*perse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dispersed; p. pr. &
vb. n. Dispersing.]
[L. dispersus, p. p. of dispergere to
strew, scatter. See Sparse.]
1. To scatter abroad; to drive to different parts; to
distribute; to diffuse; to spread; as, the Jews are
dispersed among all nations.
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge. --Prov. xv.
7.
Two lions, in the still, dark night, A herd of
beeves disperse. --Cowper.
2. To scatter, so as to cause to vanish; to dissipate; as, to
disperse vapors.
Dispersed are the glories. --Shak.
Syn: To scatter; dissipate; dispel; spread; diffuse;
distribute; deal out; disseminate.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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