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v. spread, spread·ing, spreads v.tr. 1. To open to a fuller extent or width; stretch: spread out the tablecloth; a bird spreading its wings. 2. To make wider the gap between; move farther apart: spread her fingers. 3. a. To distribute over a surface in a layer: spread varnish on the steps. b. To cover with a layer: spread a cracker with butter. 4. a. To distribute widely: The tornado spread destruction. b. To make a wide or extensive arrangement of: We spread the bicycle parts out on the floor. c. To exhibit or display the full extent of: the scene that was spread before us. 5. To cause to become widely seen or known; scatter or disseminate: spread the news; spread the beam of the flashlight. 6. a. To prepare (a table) for eating; set. b. To arrange (food or a meal) on a table. 7. To flatten (a rivet end, for example) by pounding. v.intr. 1. To be extended or enlarged: The farm fields spread to the horizon. 2. To move over an area, be distributed, or be widely dispersed: The troops spread out across the field. The volcano's ash spread over the continent. 3. To become known or prevalent over a wide area: The word spread fast. 4. To be exhibited, displayed, or visible in broad or full extent: The vista spread seemingly to infinity. 5. To become or admit of being distributed in a layer: This paint spreads really well. 6. To become separated; be forced farther apart: The land masses spread until there was an ocean between them. n. Idiom: 1. a. The act or process of spreading: the spread of disease. b. Dissemination, as of news; diffusion. 2. a. An open area of land; an expanse. b. A ranch, farm, or estate. 3. The extent or limit to which something is or can be spread: The tree's canopy has a spread of 50 feet. 4. A cloth covering for a bed, table, or other piece of furniture. 5. Informal An abundant meal laid out on a table. 6. A food to be spread on bread or crackers. 7. a. Two facing pages of a magazine, newspaper, or book, considered as a unit. b. An article or advertisement running across two or more columns of a newspaper or magazine. 8. a. A difference, as between two figures or totals: What's the spread between tallest and shortest? b. A position taken in two or more options or futures contracts in order to profit from a change in their relative prices. c. The difference between the price asked and bid for a particular security. d. The difference in yields between two fixed-income securities, as between short-term and long-term bonds. 9. A number of points offered to equalize the chances of winning in a wager on a competition, usually between sports teams. Also called point spread. 10. Wingspread. spread (oneself) thin To work on too many projects: overextend oneself. [Middle English spreden, from Old English -sprǣdan (as in tōsprǣdan, to spread out); see sper- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] spread′a·bili·ty n. spreada·ble adj. spreada·bly adv. |
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