I. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English scatering, from scateren to scatter + -ing
1. : an act or process in which something scatters or is scattered
2. : something scattered: as
a. : a small number or quantity interspersed here and there
a scattering of visitors
b. : the random change in direction of a beam or ray due to collision of the particles, photons, or waves constituting the radiation with the particles of the medium traversed
II. adjective
Etymology: from present participle of scatter (I)
1. : going in various directions
2. : found or placed far apart and in no order : occurring at irregular intervals
scattering shots
3. : divided among many or several
scattering votes
• scat·ter·ing·ly adverb