intersperse

[in-ter-spurs]

verb (used with object), in·ter·spersed, in·ter·spers·ing.

to scatter here and there or place at intervals among other things: to intersperse flowers among shrubs.

to diversify with something placed or scattered at intervals: to intersperse a dull speech with interesting anecdotes.

Origin of intersperse

1560–70; < Latin interspersus (past participle of interspergere to strew here and there), equivalent to inter- inter- + -spersus, combining form of sparsus, past participle of spargere to scatter; see disperse

Related formsin·ter·spers·ed·ly

[in-ter-spur-sid-lee] /ˌɪn tərˈspɜr sɪd li/, adverbin·ter·sper·sion

[in-ter-spur-zhuhn or, esp. British, -shuhn] /ˌɪn tərˈspɜr ʒən or, esp. British, -ʃən/, in·ter·sper·sal, nounun·in·ter·spersed, adjective

Synonyms for intersperse

1. strew, sprinkle.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for interspersion

Historical Examples of interspersion

Their irregularity is owing to the interspersion of sea and land, and the irregularities of the earths surface.
A Guide to the Scientific Knowledge of Things Familiar
Ebenezer Cobham Brewer
The interspersion of comments in dialogues is another matter of detail which greatly increases or lessens the finish of work.
Talks on Writing English
Arlo Bates
The interspersion of some discords seems to imply serious differences of opinion between the parties to the treaty.
Charles Dickens and Music
James T. Lightwood

British Dictionary definitions for interspersion

intersperse

verb (tr)

to scatter or distribute among, between, or on

to diversify (something) with other things scattered here and there

Derived Formsinterspersedly (ˌɪntəˈspɜːsɪdlɪ), adverbinterspersion (ˌɪntəˈspɜːʃən) or interspersal, noun

Word Origin for intersperse

C16: from Latin interspargere, from inter- + spargere to sprinkle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for interspersion

1650s, noun of action from intersperse.

intersperse

1560s, from Latin interspersus "strewn, scattered, sprinkled upon," past participle of *interspergere, from inter- "between" (see inter-) + spargere "to scatter" (see sparse). Related: Interspersed; interspersing.