英文字典中文字典51ZiDian.com

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Scattering \Scat"ter*ing\, n.
Act of strewing about; something scattered. --South.
[1913 Webster]


Scatter \Scat"ter\, 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]


Scattering \Scat"ter*ing\, a.
Going or falling in various directions; not united or
aggregated; divided among many; as, scattering votes.
[1913 Webster]