Spreading

Spread Spread (spr[e^]d), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Spread}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Spreading}.] [OE. spreden, AS. spr[ae]dan; akin to D. spreiden, spreijen, LG. spreden, spreen, spreien, G. spreiten, Dan. sprede, Sw. sprida. Cf. {Spray} water flying in drops.] 1. To extend in length and breadth, or in breadth only; to stretch or expand to a broad or broader surface or extent; to open; to unfurl; as, to spread a carpet; to spread a tent or a sail. [1913 Webster]

He bought a parcel of a field where he had spread his tent. --Gen. xxxiii. 19. [1913 Webster]

Here the Rhone Hath spread himself a couch. --Byron. [1913 Webster]

2. To extend so as to cover something; to extend to a great or greater extent in every direction; to cause to fill or cover a wide or wider space. [1913 Webster]

Rose, as in a dance, the stately trees, and spread Their branches hung with copious fruit. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

3. To divulge; to publish, as news or fame; to cause to be more extensively known; to disseminate; to make known fully; as, to spread a report; -- often accompanied by abroad. [1913 Webster]

They, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country. --Matt. ix. 31. [1913 Webster]

4. To propagate; to cause to affect great numbers; as, to spread a disease. [1913 Webster]

5. To diffuse, as emanations or effluvia; to emit; as, odoriferous plants spread their fragrance. [1913 Webster]

6. To strew; to scatter over a surface; as, to spread manure; to spread lime on the ground. [1913 Webster]

7. To prepare; to set and furnish with provisions; as, to spread a table. [1913 Webster]

Boiled the flesh, and spread the board. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]

{To spread cloth}, to unfurl sail. [Obs.] --Evelyn. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To diffuse; propagate; disperse; publish; distribute; scatter; circulate; disseminate; dispense. [1913 Webster]