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View synonyms for scatter

scatter

[ skat-er ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to throw loosely about; distribute at irregular intervals:

    to scatter seeds.

    Synonyms: broadcast

  2. to separate and drive off in various directions; disperse:

    to scatter a crowd.

  3. Physics.
    1. to refract or diffract (light or other electromagnetic radiation ) irregularly so as to diffuse in many directions.
    2. (of a medium) to diffuse or deflect (light or other wave phenomena) by collisions between the wave and particles of the medium.


verb (used without object)

  1. to separate and disperse; go in different directions.

noun

  1. the act of scattering.
  2. something that is scattered.

scatter

/ ˈskætə /

verb

  1. tr to throw about in various directions; strew
  2. to separate and move or cause to separate and move in various directions; disperse
  3. to deviate or cause to deviate in many directions, as in the diffuse reflection or refraction of light
“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


noun

  1. the act of scattering
  2. a substance or a number of objects scattered about
“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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈscatterer, noun
  • ˈscatterable, adjective
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Other Words From

  • scatter·a·ble adjective
  • scatter·er noun
  • scatter·ing·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of scatter1

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English scatere; compare Dutch schateren “to burst out laughing”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of scatter1

C13: probably a variant of shatter
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Synonym Study

See sprinkle. Scatter, dispel, disperse, dissipate imply separating and driving something away so that its original form disappears. To scatter is to separate something tangible into parts at random, and drive these in different directions: The wind scattered leaves all over the lawn. To dispel is to drive away or scatter usually intangible things so that they vanish or cease to exist: Photographs of the race dispelled all doubts as to which horse won. To disperse is usually to cause a compact or organized tangible body to separate or scatter in different directions, to be reassembled if desired: Tear gas dispersed the mob. To dissipate is usually to scatter by dissolving or reducing to small atoms or parts that cannot be brought together again: He dissipated his money and his energy in useless activities.
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Example Sentences

For as much as advertisers may gripe about the calendar-year upfront rate increases, “I think scatter will be even worse,” said a third agency executive.

From Digiday

Between networks’ mixed-up programming schedules and NFL and college football games being rescheduled, TV advertisers are increasingly looking to the scatter market as a more flexible buying option in the fourth quarter.

From Digiday

Advertisers turning to the scatter market to adapt to an unstable TV landscape is one reason for the expected pricing surge, but it’s not the only one.

From Digiday

As a result, advertisers are turning to TV’s scatter market, where networks sell the inventory left unclaimed by upfront advertisers, as a way to adapt to the unstable TV landscape.

From Digiday

“Any of those scatter buyers that are chasing really specific spots, there is tightness,” Morgan said.

From Digiday

Scatter half the rub over the surface of the meat and then use your fingers to distribute the rub evenly.

Scatter the fennel and the whole cloves of garlic around the chicken.

Scatter a little dust on your head—a very little—not enough to dim the lustre on your hair.

Scatter thinly on the outside and in the trench, but on the inside place more liberally.

Scatter all the rails, plates, and ties down our side of the slope.

Scatter-brained and "afternoon" men spoil much more than their own affair in spoiling the temper of those who deal with them.

Scatter, as from an unextinguished hearth Ashes and sparks, my words among mankind!

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