spread

Spread is defined as to lay open, stretch out, or smear.

(verb)

  1. An example of to spread is unfolding and laying out a blanket for a picnic.
  2. An example of to spread is the phrase spread out, someone laying on their back with their arms fully extended.
  3. An example of to spread is using a knife to cover a piece of toast with peanut butter.

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See spread in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb spread, spreading

  1. to draw out so as to display more fully; open or stretch out so as to cover more space; unfold or unfurl
  2. to lay out in display; exhibit
  3. to move apart (the fingers, arms, legs, wings, etc.)
    1. to distribute over a surface or area; scatter; disperse
    2. to distribute among a group: to spread the wealth
    1. to distribute in a thin layer; smear: to spread butter on toast
    2. to cover by smearing (with something): to spread bread with jelly
  4. to extend or prolong in time: to spread payments over a two-year period
  5. to cause to be widely or more widely known, felt, existent, etc.; disseminate; propagate; diffuse: to spread news, a disease, etc.
  6. to cover, overlay, or deck (with something)
    1. to set (a table) for a meal
    2. to set (food) on a table
  7. to push apart or farther apart
  8. ☆ to record in full; enter (on a record)
  9. to flatten out (a rivet, etc.) by hammering

Origin: ME spreden < OE sprædan, akin to Ger spreiten < IE *sprei-d-, to sprinkle, strew < base *(s)p(h)er-, to strew, spray, burst (of buds) > spray, sprawl, sprout

intransitive verb

  1. to extend itself; be extended or expanded
  2. to become distributed or dispersed
  3. to be made widely or more widely known, felt, existent, etc.; be disseminated, propagated, or diffused
  4. to be pushed apart or farther apart
  5. to be of such consistency that it can be distributed in a thin layer, as butter; be capable of being smeared

noun

  1. the act of spreading; extension; expansion; diffusion
    1. the extent to which something is spread or can be spread
    2. the interval or difference between the highest and lowest figures of a set, as of the scores of a test
    3. the difference between related prices, rates, etc., as that between the prices at which a broker buys and sells shares of a stock
    4. in betting, the number of points by which a team, esp. a football team, is expected to defeat its opponent
  2. an expanse; extent; stretch; compass
    1. two facing pages of a newspaper, magazine, etc., treated as a single continuous sheet, as in advertising
    2. printed matter set across a page, or across several columns, of a newspaper, magazine, etc.
  3. ☆ a cloth cover for a table, bed, etc.
  4. ☆ any soft substance, as jam, butter, etc., used for spreading on bread
  5. Informal a meal, esp. one with a wide variety of food
  6. Informal a pretentious display
  7. ☆ a ranch, or any large farm or estate

See spread in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb spread spread, spread·ing, spreads
verb, transitive
  1. To open to a fuller extent or width; stretch: spread out the tablecloth; a bird spreading its wings.
  2. To make wider the gap between; move farther apart: spread her fingers.
  3. a. To distribute over a surface in a layer: spread varnish on the steps.
    b. To cover with a layer: spread a cracker with butter.
  4. a. To distribute widely: The tornado spread destruction.
    b. To make a wide or extensive arrangement of: We spread the bicycle parts out on the floor.
    c. To exhibit or display the full extent of: the scene that was spread before us.
  5. To cause to become widely seen or known; scatter or disseminate: spread the news; spread the beam of the flashlight.
  6. a. To prepare (a table) for eating; set.
    b. To arrange (food or a meal) on a table.
  7. To flatten (a rivet end, for example) by pounding.
verb, intransitive
  1. To be extended or enlarged.
  2. To become distributed or widely dispersed.
  3. To increase in range of occurrence; become known or prevalent over a wide area: The word spread fast.
  4. To be exhibited, displayed, or visible in broad or full extent: the vista spread seemingly to infinity.
  5. To become or admit of being distributed in a layer.
  6. To become separated; be forced farther apart.
noun
  1. a. The act of spreading.
    b. Dissemination, as of news; diffusion.
  2. a. An open area of land; an expanse.
    b. A ranch, a farm, or an estate.
  3. The extent or limit to which something is or can be spread; range.
  4. A cloth covering for a bed, table, or other piece of furniture.
  5. Informal An abundant meal laid out on a table.
  6. A food to be spread on bread or crackers.
  7. a. Two facing pages of a magazine or newspaper, often with related matter extending across the fold.
    b. A story or advertisement running across two or more columns of a magazine or newspaper.
  8. A difference, as between two figures or totals.
  9. a. A position taken in two or more options or futures contracts in order to profit from a change in their relative prices.
    b. The difference between the price asked and bid for a particular security.
  10. A number of points offered to equalize the chances of winning in a wager on a competition, usually between sports teams. Also called point spread.
  11. Wingspread.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English spreden

Origin: , from Old English -sprǣdan (as in tōsprǣdan, to spread out); see sper- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • spreadˌa·bilˈi·ty noun
  • spreadˈa·ble adjective
  • spreadˈa·bly adverb

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