Strew
[struː]
Definition
(verb.) cover; be dispersed over; 'Dead bodies strewed the ground'.
(verb.) spread by scattering ('straw' is archaic); 'strew toys all over the carpet'.
Inputed by Glenda--From WordNet
Definition
(v. t.) To scatter; to spread by scattering; to cast or to throw loosely apart; -- used of solids, separated or separable into parts or particles; as, to strew seed in beds; to strew sand on or over a floor; to strew flowers over a grave.
(v. t.) To cover more or less thickly by scattering something over or upon; to cover, or lie upon, by having been scattered; as, they strewed the ground with leaves; leaves strewed the ground.
(v. t.) To spread abroad; to disseminate.
Checked by Adelaide
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. [1]. Scatter, spread.[2]. Cover, overspread.
Edited by Gene
Definition
v.t. to spread by scattering: to scatter loosely:—pa.p. strewed or strewn.—ns. Strew′ing act of scattering or spreading over: anything fit to be strewed: (Shak.) litter for cattle; Strew′ment (Shak.) anything strewed or scattered in decoration.
Edited by Blair
Examples
- He has strewn with misery the paths of others, and he will live to strew with misery the path of this woman by his side. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- How few in youth's prime, moor their vessels on the golden sands, and collect the painted shells that strew them. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- The plague is in London; the air of England is tainted, and her sons and daughters strew the unwholesome earth. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- On seeing Moore's state he relieved his feelings by a little flowery language, with which it is not necessary to strew the present page. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- All these Greeks have bare feet, so I think it 'ud be a good plan to strew the front of the palisade with broken glass, which would cut them up a bit. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- Living in the midst of its grandeur are most marvelous and delicate creatures that ceaselessly toil to strew the ocean’s bed with lustrous gems--pearls. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- He has strewn with misery the paths of others, and he will live to strew with misery the path of this woman by his side. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- We walked out into the grass-grown, fragment-strewn court beyond the Parthenon. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- She laid both hands on Gerty's shoulders, with a smile that was like sunrise on a sea strewn with wreckage. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- Miss Havisham had settled down, I hardly knew how, upon the floor, among the faded bridal relics with which it was strewn. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- It should be strewn with roses; it should lie through bowers, where there was no spring, autumn, nor winter, but perpetual summer. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- There were also a dagger and several metal ornaments strewn about as though torn from their wearer in a struggle. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- I passed the night under the shelter of a rock, strewing some heath under me, and slept pretty well. Jonathan Swift. Gulliver's Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World.
- Which he did, cherubically strewing the path with smiles, in the absence of flowers. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- His books and pencils strewed the floor. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- Some groundsel was strewed on a table which stood immediately under the cage. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- I pushed it open; and, with some hay strewed about, I formed a couch for her, placing her exhausted frame on it, and covering her with my cloak. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- What thorns and briers, what flints, he strewed in the path of feet not inured to rough travel! Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Triumphal arches, the falling walls of many temples, strewed the ground at my feet. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- The meanest streets are strewed with truncated columns, broken capitals--Corinthian and Ionic, and sparkling fragments of granite or porphyry. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- Joy strews the hard couch with roses, and makes labour ease. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
Typist: Vern