Disperse
[dɪ'spɜːs] or [dɪ'spɝs]
Definition
(verb.) separate (light) into spectral rays; 'the prosm disperses light'.
(verb.) move away from each other; 'The crowds dispersed'; 'The children scattered in all directions when the teacher approached';.
(verb.) to cause to separate and go in different directions; 'She waved her hand and scattered the crowds'.
Checker: Raffles--From WordNet
Definition
(v. t.) To scatter abroad; to drive to different parts; to distribute; to diffuse; to spread; as, the Jews are dispersed among all nations.
(v. t.) To scatter, so as to cause to vanish; to dissipate; as, to disperse vapors.
(v. i.) To separate; to go or move into different parts; to vanish; as, the company dispersed at ten o'clock; the clouds disperse.
(v. i.) To distribute wealth; to share one's abundance with others.
Typist: Psyche
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. [1]. Scatter, separate, dissipate, dispel, drive to different parts, sow, broadcast, scatter to the winds.[2]. Diffuse, disseminate, spread.
v. n. Scatter, separate, be scattered, go different ways.
Checker: Michelle
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Dispel, scatter, disseminate, separate, break_up, spread_abroad, deal_out,distribute, dissipate
ANT:Collect, summon, recall, gather, concentrate, meet
Checker: Marge
Definition
v.t. to scatter in all directions: to spread: to diffuse: to drive asunder: to cause to vanish.—v.i. to separate: to spread abroad: to vanish.—n. Dispers′al.—adv. Dispers′edly.—ns. Dispers′edness; Dispers′er.—adj. Dispers′ive tending to disperse.
Checker: Sigmund
Examples
- The king took a high line, and attempted to disperse the Third Estate by force. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- She tried to disperse them, but they refused to be checked--her utterance was choaked. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- Disperse quietly to your houses. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- It will come instantaneously with the explosion of the charge and it won't disperse it. Hemingway, Ernest. For Whom The Bell Tolls.
- The fact was they had done their work so well they must now disperse to show the world what it was, and assist in its industrial exploitation. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- When they're quite satisfied, perhaps they'll be so good as to disperse; whether they're satisfied or not, perhaps they'll be so good as to disperse. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- But circumstances,' he went on '--I can, and I will, disperse them in a moment--have surrounded me with one of the strangest suspicions ever known. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- A few of our cavalry dashed in, and forded and swam the stream, and all opposition was soon dispersed. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The crowd had gradually dispersed in their immediate vicinity, and they were nearly alone. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- The sound of the dressing-bell dispersed the party. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- The crowd dispersed, indeed, but the knight was nowhere to be seen. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- But it was not essential after the enemy was dispersed from our front, or even after the battle for this purpose was begun. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The Jews were already a people dispersed in many lands and cities, when their minds and hopes were unified and they became an exclusive people. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Lights entering a diamond are reflected, refracted and dispersed. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- The other guests were now fast dispersing, with the exception of those immediately attached to Prince John's faction, and his retinue. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- On the 12th of December he commenced his movement, capturing and dispersing the enemy's forces wherever he met them. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- So saying, the Prince resumed his horse, and returned to Ashby, the whole crowd breaking up and dispersing upon his retreat. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- The morning was rather favourable, though it had rained all night, as the clouds were then dispersing across the sky, and the sun frequently appeared. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
Edited by Annabel