scatter

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Scattered p. pr. & vb. n. Scattering. ] [ OE. scateren. See Shatter. ] 1. To strew about; to sprinkle around; to throw down loosely; to deposit or place here and there, esp. in an open or sparse order. [ 1913 Webster ]

And some are scattered all the floor about. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Why should my muse enlarge on Libyan swains,
Their scattered cottages, and ample plains? Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Teach the glad hours to scatter, as they fly,
Soft quiet, gentle love, and endless joy. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cause to separate in different directions; to reduce from a close or compact to a loose or broken order; to dissipate; to disperse. [ 1913 Webster ]

Scatter and disperse the giddy Goths. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Hence, to frustrate, disappoint, and overthrow; as, to scatter hopes, plans, or the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To disperse; dissipate; spread; strew. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To be dispersed or dissipated; to disperse or separate; as, clouds scatter after a storm. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A giddy or thoughtless person; one incapable of concentration or attention. [ Written also scatter-brains. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Giddy; thoughtless. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Dispersed; dissipated; sprinkled, or loosely spread. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) Irregular in position; having no regular order; as, scattered leaves. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Scat"tered*ly, adv. -- Scat"tered*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who wastes; a spendthrift. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Going or falling in various directions; not united or aggregated; divided among many; as, scattering votes. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Act of strewing about; something scattered. South. [ 1913 Webster ]