spread

Main Entry: ¹spread 

Pronunciation: \ˈspred\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): spread; spread·ing

Etymology: Middle English spreden, from Old English -sprǣdan; akin to Old High German spreiten to spread

Date: 13th century

transitive verb 1 a : to open or expand over a larger area b : to stretch out : extend
2 a : to distribute over an area b : to distribute over a period or among a group c : to apply on a surface d (1) : to cover or overlay something with (2) archaic : to cover completely e (1) : to prepare or furnish for dining : set (2) : serve
3 a : to make widely known b : to extend the range or incidence of c : diffuse, emit ing their fragrance>
4 : to push apart by weight or forceintransitive verb 1 a : to become dispersed, distributed, or scattered b : to become known or disseminated
2 : to grow in length or breadth : expand
3 : to move apart (as from pressure or weight) : separate

— spread·abil·i·ty \ˌspre-də-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— spread·able \ˈspre-də-bəl\ adjective