Dis*perse" (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Dispersed (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Dispersing.] [L. dispersus, p. p. of
dispergere to strew, scatter. See Sparse.]
1. To scatter abroad; to drive to different
parts; to distribute; to diffuse; to spread; as, the Jews are
dispersed among all nations.
The lips of the wise disperse
knowledge.
Prov. xv. 7.
Two lions, in the still, dark night,
A herd of beeves disperse.
Cowper.
2. To scatter, so as to cause to vanish; to
dissipate; as, to disperse vapors.
Dispersed are the glories.
Shak.
Syn. -- To scatter; dissipate; dispel; spread; diffuse;
distribute; deal out; disseminate.
Dis*perse", v. i. 1.
To separate; to go or move into different parts; to vanish; as,
the company dispersed at ten o'clock; the clouds
disperse.
2. To distribute wealth; to share one's
abundance with others.
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the
poor.
Ps. cxii. 9.