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in·ter·sperse

(ĭn′tər-spûrs)

tr.v. in·ter·spersed, in·ter·spers·ing, in·ter·spers·es

1. To distribute among other things at intervals: interspersed red and blue tiles on the walls; intersperse praise with constructive criticism.

2. To supply or diversify with things distributed at intervals: interspersed lamp fixtures on the large ceiling; a newspaper section that was interspersed with advertisements.

[From Latin interspergere, interspers- : inter-, inter- + spargere, to scatter.]

in′ter·spersed·ly (-spûrsĭd-lē) adv.

in′ter·spersion (-spûrzhən, -shən) n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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