I. ˈspred verb
( spread ; spread·ing )
Etymology: Middle English spreden, from Old English -sprǣdan; akin to Old High German spreiten to spread
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to open or expand over a larger area
spread out the map
b. : to stretch out : extend
spread its wings for flight
2.
a. : to distribute over an area
spread fertilizer
b. : to distribute over a period or among a group
spread the work over a few weeks
c. : to apply on a surface
spread butter on bread
d.
(1) : to cover or overlay something with
spread the cloth on the table
(2) archaic : to cover completely
e.
(1) : to prepare or furnish for dining : set
spread the table
(2) : serve
spread the afternoon tea
3.
a. : to make widely known
spread the news
b. : to extend the range or incidence of
spread a disease
c. : diffuse , emit
flowers spread ing their fragrance
4. : to push apart by weight or force
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to become dispersed, distributed, or scattered
b. : to become known or disseminated
panic spread rapidly
2. : to grow in length or breadth : expand
3. : to move apart (as from pressure or weight) : separate
• spread·abil·i·ty ˌspre-də-ˈbi-lə-tē noun
• spread·able ˈspre-də-bəl adjective
II. noun
Date: 1626
1.
a. : the act or process of spreading
b. : extent of spreading
2. : something spread out: as
a. : a surface area : expanse
b.
(1) : a ranch or homestead especially in the western United States
(2) West : a herd of animals
c.
(1) : a prominent display in a periodical
(2) : two facing pages (as of a newspaper) usually with matter running across the fold ; also : the matter occupying these pages
3. : something spread on or over a surface: as
a. : a food to be spread (as on bread or crackers)
a cheese spread
b. : a sumptuous meal : feast
c. : a cloth cover for a table or bed
4. : distance between two points : gap
5. : a commodities market transaction in which a participant hedges with simultaneous long and short options in different commodities or different delivery dates in the same commodity