From Middle English scateren, skateren, (also schateren, see shatter), from Old English *sceaterian, probably from a dialect of Old Norse -.

• (RP) IPA: /ˈskætə/
• (America) enPR: skătʹər, IPA: /ˈskætɚ/

scatter (scatters, present participle scattering; simple past and past participle scattered)

1. (ergative) To (cause to) separate and go in different directions; to disperse.

   The crowd scattered in terror.

   • c. 1588–1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC ↗, [Act V, scene ii]:

     Scatter and disperse the giddy Goths.

2. (transitive) To distribute loosely as by sprinkling.

   Her ashes were scattered at the top of a waterfall.

   • 1697, Virgil, “The Third Book of the Georgics”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC ↗:

     Why should my muse enlarge on Libyan swains, / Their scattered cottages, and ample plains?

3. (transitive, physics) To deflect (radiation or particles).
4. (intransitive) To occur or fall at widely spaced intervals.
5. (transitive) To frustrate, disappoint, and overthrow.

   to scatter hopes or plans

6. (transitive) To be dispersed upon.

   Desiccated stalks scattered the fields.

7. (transitive, baseball) Of a pitcher: to keep down the number of hits or walks.

• (disperse) See also Thesaurus:disperse

• French: disperser
• German: zerstreuen
• Italian: disperdere
• Portuguese: espalhar, dispersar
• Russian: разбра́сывать
• Spanish: dispersar

• French: se disperser
• German: zerstreuen
• Italian: disperdersi
• Portuguese: espalhar
• Russian: развеять
• Spanish: dispersar

• French: éparpiller, parsemer
• German: streuen, verstreuen, ausstreuen
• Italian: sparpagliare, cospargere
• Portuguese: espalhar
• Russian: разбра́сывать
• Spanish: esparcir

• German: streuen
• Italian: deflettere
• Russian: рассе́ивать
• Spanish: desviar

• Italian: dilazionarsi

scatter

1. The act of scattering or dispersing.
2. A collection of dispersed objects.