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View synonyms for

disperse

[ dih-spurs ]

verb (used with object)

dispersed, dispersing.
  1. to drive or send off in various directions; scatter:

    to disperse a crowd.

    Antonyms: ,

  2. to spread widely; disseminate:

    to disperse knowledge.

    Synonyms: ,

  3. to dispel; cause to vanish:

    The wind dispersed the fog.

  4. Physical Chemistry. to cause (particles) to separate uniformly throughout a solid, liquid, or gas.
  5. Optics. to subject (light) to dispersion.


verb (used without object)

dispersed, dispersing.
  1. to separate and move apart in different directions without order or regularity; become scattered:

    The crowd dispersed.

  2. to be dispelled; be scattered out of sight; vanish:

    The smoke dispersed into the sky.

    Synonyms: ,

adjective

  1. Physical Chemistry. noting the dispersed particles in a dispersion.

disperse

/ dɪˈspɜːsɪdlɪ; dɪˈspɜːs /

verb

  1. to scatter; distribute over a wide area
  2. to dissipate or cause to dissipate
  3. to leave or cause to leave a gathering, often in a random manner
  4. to separate or be separated by dispersion
  5. tr to diffuse or spread (news, information, etc)
  6. to separate (particles) throughout a solid, liquid, or gas, as in the formation of a suspension or colloid
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. of or consisting of the particles in a colloid or suspension

    disperse phase

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage

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Derived Forms

  • 徱ˈ, noun
  • dispersedly, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • 徱·Ļ· [dih-, spur, -sid-lee], adverb
  • 徱·İ noun
  • 徱·i·i·ٲ noun
  • 徱·i· adjective
  • d· verb (used with object) predispersed predispersing
  • d· verb redispersed redispersing
  • ܲd· adjective
  • ܲd·iԲ adjective
  • ɱ-徱· adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of disperse1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English dispersen, disparsen (from Middle French disperser, ) from Latin dispersus (past participle of dispergere ), equivalent to di- di- 2 + -sper(g)- “scatter” (stem of -spergere, combining form of spargere “to scatter, strew”) + -sus past participle suffix
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Word History and Origins

Origin of disperse1

C14: from Latin 徱ŧܲ scattered, from dispergere to scatter widely, from di- ² + spargere to strew
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Synonym Study

See scatter.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The mountain ranges restrict airflow and prevent pollution from dispersing.

From

Charges against them include taking part in illegal protests following a crackdown on public gatherings and failing to disperse despite warnings.

From

Grizzly bears also bring benefits, including dispersing seeds and aerating soil.

From

The dung beetle, which disperses seeds as it rolls its dung balls, fertilizing topsoil and enhancing biodiversity and engineering its environment, normally orients itself using the Milky Way and the moon.

From

But anti-riot police had been deployed overnight in case of trouble and they fired tear gas to disperse the would-be audience.

From

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dispersantdisperse dye