scatter
Other forms: scattered; scattering; scatters
If you hear someone shout "Everybody scatter!” that person wants everyone to spread out and leave the area. Scatter is a verb that means "to separate suddenly and spread out in different directions."
Scatter is sometimes used as a noun to refer to something that has been scattered. If you have clothes strewn all over your room, you might say there is a scatter of clothes on the floor. More commonly, though, scatter is used as a verb meaning “to spread about.” You might scatter grass seed on your front lawn in the spring. Scatter can also mean “break up or disperse.” The police, for instance, might scatter an unruly mob or gathering.
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cause to separate and go in different directions
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cause to separate
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types:
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backscatter
scatter (radiation) by the atoms of the medium through which it passes
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type of:
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change integrity
change in physical make-up
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backscatter
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move away from each other“The children scattered in all directions when the teacher approached”
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synonyms:
disperse, dissipate, spread out
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types:
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aerosolise, aerosolize
become dispersed as an aerosol
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break
scatter or part
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volley
be dispersed in a volley
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aerosolise, aerosolize
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strew or distribute over an area“scatter cards across the table”
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synonyms:
spread, spread out
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types:
- show 4 types...
- hide 4 types...
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manure, muck
spread manure, as for fertilization
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birdlime, lime
spread birdlime on branches to catch birds
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circumfuse
spread something around something
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distribute
spread throughout a given area
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type of:
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circulate, distribute, pass around, pass on
cause to be distributed
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distribute loosely“He scattered gun powder under the wagon”
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types:
- show 14 types...
- hide 14 types...
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spray
scatter in a mass or jet of droplets
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spray
be discharged in sprays of liquid
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plash, spatter, splash, splatter, splosh, swash
dash a liquid upon or against
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splash, splosh, sprinkle
cause (a liquid) to spatter about, especially with force
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bespangle
dot or sprinkle with sparkling or glittering objects
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aerosolise, aerosolize
disperse as an aerosol
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shower
spray or sprinkle with
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atomise, atomize
spray very finely
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mist
spray finely or cover with mist
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syringe
spray or irrigate (a body part) with a syringe
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puddle
make a puddle by splashing water
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slosh, slosh around, slush, slush around
spill or splash copiously or clumsily
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salt
sprinkle as if with salt
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drizzle, moisten
moisten with fine drops
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type of:
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discharge
pour forth or release
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sow by scattering
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the act of scattering
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synonyms:
scattering, strewing
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a haphazard distribution in all directions
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synonyms:
spread
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types:
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diffuseness
the spatial property of being spread out over a wide area or through a large volume
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type of:
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dispersion, distribution
the spatial or geographic property of being scattered about over a range, area, or volume
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diffuseness
/ˈskædər/
/ˈskætə/
- MLA
- APA
- Chicago
Vocabulary lists containing scatter
This list covers "The Elephant Shepherd," "Doctors Without Borders," "The Origin of Fire," and "Water Spider Gets the Fire."
An orphan runs away from his guardians to search for a real home. On his journey, he performs feats of athleticism and confronts racial prejudice.
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