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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Spread \Spread\ (spr[e^]d), verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Spread}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Spreading}.] [OE. spreden, AS. spr[ae]dan; akin to D. spreiden, spreijen, LG. spreden, spreen, spreien, G. spreiten, Dan. sprede, Sw. sprida. Cf. {Spray} water flying in drops.]
1. To extend in length and breadth, or in breadth only; to stretch or expand to a broad or broader surface or extent; to open; to unfurl; as, to spread a carpet; to spread a tent or a sail.
He bought a parcel of a field where he had spread his tent. --Gen. xxxiii. 19.
Here the Rhone Hath spread himself a couch. --Byron.
2. To extend so as to cover something; to extend to a great or greater extent in every direction; to cause to fill or cover a wide or wider space.
Rose, as in a dance, the stately trees, and spread Their branches hung with copious fruit. --Milton.
3. To divulge; to publish, as news or fame; to cause to be more extensively known; to disseminate; to make known fully; as, to spread a report; -- often accompanied by abroad.
They, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country. --Matt. ix. 31.
4. To propagate; to cause to affect great numbers; as, to spread a disease.
5. To diffuse, as emanations or effluvia; to emit; as, odoriferous plants spread their fragrance.
6. To strew; to scatter over a surface; as, to spread manure; to spread lime on the ground.
7. To prepare; to set and furnish with provisions; as, to spread a table.
Boiled the flesh, and spread the board. --Tennyson.
{To spread cloth}, to unfurl sail. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
Syn: To diffuse; propagate; disperse; publish; distribute; scatter; circulate; disseminate; dispense.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
spreading
adjective
1: spreading over a wide area; "under the spreading chestnut tree"; "the spreading circle of lamplight"; "wide-spreading branches" [syn: {wide-spreading}]
2: spreading by diffusion [syn: {diffusing(a)}, {diffusive}, {dispersive}, {disseminative}, {disseminating}, {scattering}]
noun
1: process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space [syn: {spread}]
2: the opening of a subject to widespread discussion and debate [syn: {dissemination}, {airing}, {public exposure}]
3: act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time [syn: {spread}]
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |