Spreading

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Spread \Spread\ (spr[e^]d), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Spread}; p. pr.
     & vb. n. {Spreading}.] [OE. spreden, AS. spraedan; akin to D.
     spreiden, spreijen, LG. spreden, spreen, spreien, G.
     spreiten, Dan. sprede, Sw. sprida. Cf. {Spray} water flying
     in drops.]
     1. To extend in length and breadth, or in breadth only; to


        stretch or expand to a broad or broader surface or extent;
        to open; to unfurl; as, to spread a carpet; to spread a
        tent or a sail.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              He bought a parcel of a field where he had spread
              his tent.                             --Gen. xxxiii.
                                                    19.
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              Here the Rhone
              Hath spread himself a couch.          --Byron.
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     2. To extend so as to cover something; to extend to a great
        or greater extent in every direction; to cause to fill or
        cover a wide or wider space.
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              Rose, as in a dance, the stately trees, and spread
              Their branches hung with copious fruit. --Milton.
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     3. To divulge; to publish, as news or fame; to cause to be
        more extensively known; to disseminate; to make known
        fully; as, to spread a report; -- often accompanied by
        abroad.
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              They, when they were departed, spread abroad his
              fame in all that country.             --Matt. ix.
                                                    31.
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     4. To propagate; to cause to affect great numbers; as, to
        spread a disease.
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     5. To diffuse, as emanations or effluvia; to emit; as,
        odoriferous plants spread their fragrance.
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     6. To strew; to scatter over a surface; as, to spread manure;
        to spread lime on the ground.
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     7. To prepare; to set and furnish with provisions; as, to
        spread a table.
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              Boiled the flesh, and spread the board. --Tennyson.
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     {To spread cloth}, to unfurl sail. [Obs.] --Evelyn.
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     Syn: To diffuse; propagate; disperse; publish; distribute;
          scatter; circulate; disseminate; dispense.
          [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  spreading
       adj 1: spreading over a wide area; "under the spreading chestnut
              tree"; "the spreading circle of lamplight";
              "wide-spreading branches" [syn: {wide-spreading}]
       2: spreading by diffusion [syn: {diffusing(a)}, {diffusive}, {dispersive},
           {disseminative}, {disseminating}, {scattering}]
       n 1: process or result of distributing or extending over a wide
            expanse of space [syn: {spread}]
       2: the opening of a subject to widespread discussion and debate
          [syn: {dissemination}, {airing}, {public exposure}]
       3: act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or
          time [syn: {spread}]