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   scatter

   /ˈskatə/

   verb

   • 1. throw in various random directions: "scatter the coconut over the icing"
   • ▪ cover (a surface) with objects thrown or spread randomly over it: "the sandy beaches are scattered with driftwood" Similar throwstrewtossflingsprinklespreaddistributesowbroadcastinterspersedisseminateshowerspattersprayliterary:bestrewOpposite collectgather
   • ▪ occur or be found at intervals rather than all together: "there are many watermills scattered throughout the marshlands" Similar fleckstuddotcoversprinklestipplespotpepperlitterliterary:bestud
   • 2. (of a group of people or animals) separate and move off quickly in different directions: "the roar made the dogs scatter" Similar dispersebreak updisbandseparatemove/go in different directionsgo separate waysdissipatedisintegratedissolvedrivesendput to flightchaseOpposite assembleconvergecongregate
   • ▪ cause (a group of people or animals) to move off quickly in different directions: "he charged across the foyer, scattering people"
   • 3. deflect or diffuse (electromagnetic radiation or particles): "the light is scattered as it strikes particles suspended in the air"
   • 4. (of a pitcher) allow (several hits) at intervals so as to result in little or no scoring: "Fernandez struck out 14 while scattering three hits over eight scoreless innings"

   noun

   • 1. a small, dispersed amount of something: "a scatter of boulders round the pothole mouth"
   • 2. the degree to which repeated measurements or observations of a quantity differ.
   • 3. the scattering of light, other electromagnetic radiation, or particles.

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

   Derivatives

   • 1. scatterer noun
   • 2. scatterable adjective
   • 3. scatteration noun

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • S

     1

   • C

     3

   • A

     1

   • T

     1

   • T

     1

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

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