Sparse \Sparse\, a. [Compar. Sparser; superl. Sparsest.]

[L. sparsus, p. p. of spargere to strew, scatter. Cf. Asperse, Disperse.]

1. Thinly scattered; set or planted here and there; not being dense or close together; as, a sparse population. --Carlyle.

2. (Bot.) Placed irregularly and distantly; scattered; -- applied to branches, leaves, peduncles, and the like.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Sparse \Sparse\, v. t. [L. sparsus, p. p. of spargere to scatter.]

To scatter; to disperse. [Obs.]

--Spenser.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)