transitive verb dispersed -·persed′, dispersing -·pers′·ing

1. to break up and scatter in all directions; spread about; distribute widely
2. to dispel (mist, etc.)
3. to break up (light) into its component colored rays

Etymology: ME dispersen < L dispersus, pp. of dispergere, to scatter abroad < dis-, out + spargere, to scatter, strew: see spark

intransitive verb