v. & n.
--v.
1. tr. a throw here and there; strew (scattered gravel on the road). b cover by scattering (scattered the road with gravel).
2 tr. & intr. a move or cause to move in flight etc.; disperse (scattered to safety at the sound). b disperse or cause (hopes, clouds, etc.) to disperse.
3 tr. (as scattered adj.) not clustered together; wide apart; sporadic (scattered villages).
4 tr. Physics deflect or diffuse (light, particles, etc.).
5 a intr. (of esp. a shotgun) fire a charge of shot diffusely. b tr. fire (a charge) in this way.
--n.
1. the act or an instance of scattering.
2 a small amount scattered.
3 the extent of distribution of esp. shot.
Phrases and idioms:
scatter cushions (or rugs, etc.) cushions, rugs, etc., placed here and there for effect. scatter-shot n. & adj. US firing at random.
Derivatives:
scatterer n.
Etymology: ME, prob. var. of SHATTER