disperse in English
- disperse⇄adj. dispersed.
- disperse⇄disperse, verb, -persed,-persing,adjective.
- disperse⇄v.i. 1. to spread in different directions; scatter.
Ex. The crowd dispersed when it began raining.
2. to disappear; be dispelled.
Ex. The chill night air dispersed with the dawn. - disperse⇄v.t. 1. to send or drive off in different directions; scatter.
Ex. The police dispersed the rioters.
2. to distribute; circulate.
Ex. Children went through the crowd dispersing handbills.
(SYN) disseminate.
3. to cause to
Disperse
Part of Speech
Verb
Pronunciation
/dɪˈspɜːrs/
Definitions
- To scatter or distribute over a wide area.
- To break up and disappear.
- In physics and chemistry, to separate particles within a medium.
- To cause a crowd to separate and move in different directions.
Usage Examples
- The wind helped disperse the seeds across the field.
- The police used tear gas to disperse the protesters.
- Light disperses when it passes through a prism.
Etymology
From Latin ‘dispersus,’ past participle of ‘dispergere’ (to scatter, spread apart), composed of ‘dis-’ (apart) and ‘spargere’ (to scatter).
Synonyms
- Scatter
- Diffuse
- Distribute
- Break up
Antonyms
- Gather
- Concentrate
- Collect
- Assemble
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | dispersar | /dis.perˈsar/ |
| French | disperser | /dis.pɛʁ.se/ |
| Hindi | बिखेरना | /bi.khe.ra.na/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- British English: /dɪˈspɜːrs/
- American English: /dɪˈspɝːs/
Historical Usage
The term 'disperse' has been used in scientific and social contexts for centuries, including in physics (light dispersion) and governance (crowd dispersal).
Cultural Nuances
In political and social contexts, 'disperse' is often used regarding the control of crowds, such as in protests or riots.
More Information
Disperse is a key term in multiple disciplines, from environmental science to chemistry. In optics, light disperses when passing through a medium like a prism, creating a spectrum of colors. In social and political settings, dispersing a crowd can have legal and ethical implications, depending on the circumstances and methods used.