scatter

Definitions


[ˈskatə], (Verb)

Definitions:
- throw in various random directions
(e.g: scatter the coconut over the icing)

- (of a group of people or animals) separate and move off quickly in different directions
(e.g: the roar made the dogs scatter)

- deflect or diffuse (electromagnetic radiation or particles)
(e.g: the light is scattered as it strikes particles suspended in the air)

- (of a pitcher) allow (several hits) at intervals so as to result in little or no scoring
(e.g: Fernandez struck out 14 while scattering three hits over eight scoreless innings)


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English (as a verb): probably a variant of shatter


[ˈskatə], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a small, dispersed amount of something
(e.g: a scatter of boulders round the pothole mouth)

- the degree to which repeated measurements or observations of a quantity differ

- the scattering of light, other electromagnetic radiation, or particles


Phrases:

Origin:
Middle English (as a verb): probably a variant of shatter




definition by Oxford Dictionaries