Reading Theme:
Scatter: Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：sprinkle broadly (scatter)
scatter
/ˈskætər/
v.
To throw or drop things over a wide area in an irregular way.
sprinkle broadly
➕
/ˈsprɪŋkəl ˈbrɔːdli/
v.
To distribute or spread objects, especially small ones like seeds, over a surface in a random, wide pattern.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Middle English 'skateren', to disperse. Possibly related to Old Norse 'skata', to scatter.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of a scared cat-tering in all directions!
📖 Example
The farmer scatters seeds across the freshly plowed field in the early morning.
The farmer sprinkles seeds broadly across the freshly plowed field in the early morning.
🔗 Collocations
scatter seeds – to sow seeds by spreading them loosely
scatter ashes – to disperse cremated remains
scatter confetti – to throw small pieces of colored paper into the air
🔄 Synonyms
🌱 Derivatives
scattered (adj.) – spread out over a wide area; not close together
scattering (n.) – a small, dispersed number or amount
scatters (v.) – third person singular present of scatter
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'scatter' has roots in Middle English and Old Norse, relating to the action of separating and spreading. In modern culture, it's a key term in physics for describing how particles or waves are deflected by collisions, as in 'scatter diagram' or 'light scattering'.
Meaning 2：disperse suddenly (scatter)
scatter
/ˈskætər/
v.
To make a group of people or animals suddenly move quickly in different directions.
disperse suddenly
➕
/dɪˈspɜːs ˈsʌdənli/
v.
To cause a group of people, animals, or things to separate and move quickly away in different directions.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The loud bang from the construction site caused the pigeons in the square to scatter instantly.
The loud bang from the construction site caused the pigeons in the square to disperse suddenly instantly.
🔗 Collocations
scatter crowds – to cause a large group of people to break up and leave
scatter pigeons – to cause pigeons to fly off in different directions
scatter in panic – to run away quickly in different directions due to fear
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
assemble (v.) – to come together as a group
congregate (v.) – to gather into a crowd or mass
🌱 Derivatives
scattered (adj.) – occurring or found at intervals or various locations rather than all together
scattering (n.) – the act of causing something to separate and go in different directions
scatters (v.) – third person singular present of scatter
Wordbook
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