disperse (v.)

  1. distribute loosely; He scattered gun powder under the wagon

    [ Syn: scatter , sprinkle , dot , dust ]

  2. to cause to separate and go in different directions; She waved her hand and scattered the crowds

    [ Syn: dissipate , dispel , break up , scatter ]

  3. cause to separate; break up kidney stones; disperse particles

    [ Syn: break up , scatter ]

  4. move away from each other; The crowds dispersed; The children scattered in all directions when the teacher approached;

    [ Syn: dissipate , scatter , spread out ]

  5. separate (light) into spectral rays; the prosm disperses light'

  6. cause to become widely known; spread information; circulate a rumor; broadcast the news

    [ Syn: circulate , circularize , circularise , distribute , disseminate , propagate , broadcast , spread , diffuse , pass around ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.