strew

[stroo]

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verb (used with object), strewed, strewn [stroon] /strun/ or strewed, strew·ing.

to let fall in separate pieces or particles over a surface; scatter or sprinkle: to strew seed in a garden bed.

to cover or overspread (a surface, place, etc.) with something scattered or sprinkled: to strew a floor with sawdust.

to be scattered or sprinkled over (a surface): Sawdust strewed the floor.

to spread widely; disseminate: to strew rumors among the troops.

Origin of strew

before 1000; Middle English strewen, Old English strewian; cognate with German streuen, Old Norse strā, Gothic straujan; akin to Latin sternere to spread (see stratum)

Related formsstrew·er, nounun·der·strew, verb (used with object), un·der·strewed, un·der·strewn or un·der·strewed, un·der·strew·ing.un·strewed, adjectiveun·strewn, adjective

Synonyms for strew

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1. broadcast. See sprinkle.

Antonyms for strew

1. gather, reap.

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

Related Words for strew

sprinkle, scatter, toss, cover

Examples from the Web for strew

Historical Examples of strew

Dip each fish into the egg, and then strew them with bread crumbs.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches
Eliza Leslie
Powder the sugar, and strew it in layers between the slices of pine-apple.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches
Eliza Leslie
It would be impious to strew our mother's bones along the way.
Old Greek Folk Stories Told Anew
Josephine Preston Peabody
Take the largest broad mushrooms, break them into an earthen pan, strew salt over, and stir them occasionally for three days.
The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches,
Mary Eaton
Clean and wash some currants, and make them plump before the fire: then strew them over the syllabub, and it will be fit for use.
The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches,
Mary Eaton

British Dictionary definitions for strew

strew

verb strews, strewing, strewed, strewn or strewed

to spread or scatter or be spread or scattered, as over a surface or area

Derived Formsstrewer, noun

Word Origin for strew

Old English streowian; related to Old Norse strā, Old High German streuwen, Latin struere to spread

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 strew

Old English streowian, from Proto-Germanic *straujanan (cf. Old Saxon stroian, Old Norse stra, Danish strø, Swedish strö, Middle Dutch strowen, Dutch strooien, Old High German strouwen, German streuen, Gothic straujan "to sprinkle, strew"), from PIE root *stere- "to spread, extend, stretch out" (see structure (n.)).