From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Spread \Spread\ (spr[e^]d), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Spread}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Spreading}.] [OE. spreden, AS. spraedan; 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.
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He bought a parcel of a field where he had spread
his tent. --Gen. xxxiii.
19.
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Here the Rhone
Hath spread himself a couch. --Byron.
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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.
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Rose, as in a dance, the stately trees, and spread
Their branches hung with copious fruit. --Milton.
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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.
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They, when they were departed, spread abroad his
fame in all that country. --Matt. ix.
31.
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4. To propagate; to cause to affect great numbers; as, to
spread a disease.
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5. To diffuse, as emanations or effluvia; to emit; as,
odoriferous plants spread their fragrance.
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6. To strew; to scatter over a surface; as, to spread manure;
to spread lime on the ground.
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7. To prepare; to set and furnish with provisions; as, to
spread a table.
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Boiled the flesh, and spread the board. --Tennyson.
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{To spread cloth}, to unfurl sail. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
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Syn: To diffuse; propagate; disperse; publish; distribute;
scatter; circulate; disseminate; dispense.
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From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
spreading
n 1: process or result of distributing or extending over a wide
expanse of space [syn: {spread}, {spreading}]
2: the opening of a subject to widespread discussion and debate
[syn: {dissemination}, {airing}, {public exposure},
{spreading}]
3: act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or
time [syn: {spread}, {spreading}]
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