scattern.

Brit.

/ˈskatə/, U.S.

/ˈskædər/

Etymology: < scatter v.

a. The action or an act of scattering; wide or irregular distribution; dispersion. Now chiefly with reference to shot.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > extension in space > spreading or diffusion > [noun]

spreadinga1250

skeltingc1540

diffusion1585

prosemination1611

scatter1642

dissemination1646

radiation1658

dispersion1664

spread1757

distribution1860

dispersal1863

scatteration1892

spreadation1925

1642 J. Weall Preparative for Fast 4 We are exposed aswell to Forraigne and intestine mischiefes. This divide and scatter, if it be not prevented, will be no small curse.

1650 T. Vaughan Anthroposophia Theomagica Advt. to Rdr. 68 Let Them [sc. the Galenists] not mangle, and discompose my Book with a scatter of Observations, but proceed Methodically to the Censure of each part.

1893 Westm. Gaz. 14 Dec. 5/1 Had there been no deflection from the hard skull the shot..would have been smaller in scatter than it is.

b. transferred in Linguistics.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > linguistics > [noun] > specific features of linguistic analysis

structuring1890

over-differentiation1921

hypostasis1933

contextualization1934

scatter1934

opposition1936

minimality1953

mapping1955

biuniqueness1959

linearity1959

n-gram1963

meta-condition1972

optionality1972

1934 J. R. Firth Papers in Ling. 1934–51 (1957) ii. 4 All the common phonetic contexts of each phoneme should be stated, and the contextual spread or ‘scatter’ of the phonemes compared. This knowledge of the contextual scatter of a phoneme will be found of the greatest importance for the statement of our future sound laws.

1935 J. R. Firth in Trans. Philol. Soc. 45 The frequency of reference to sex had necessarily extended what I term the formal scatter of the word, and we now have sexed, sexless, sexy, sexiness, even sexology.

1963 J. Lyons Struct. Semantics vii. 178 One point that seemed to be of relevance in the inquiry was the defective formal ‘scatter’ of the lexeme εἰδέναι.

2. A quantity loosely distributed or interspersed; a scattering, sprinkling; also spec. in Archaeology.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > [noun] > that which is scattered > a quantity scattered

scatter1859

sputter1886

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > [noun] > scattering in small particles or sprinkling > that which is sprinkled

sprinkle1575

sprinkling1602

powdering1626

strinkling1660

spray1750

scatter1954

1859 R. F. Burton in Jrnl. Royal Geogr. Soc. 29 158 Its sole displays quartzose sand, with scatters of granite.

1888 Daily News 17 May 5/8 The bodice, too, had a scatter of diamonds and pearls.

1943 V. Sackville-West Eagle & Dove iii. 17 A sick woman with a scatter of high-spirited children to control would welcome any method of keeping them quiet.

1954 J. B. Mitchell Hist. Geogr. iii. 73 A scatter of Scandinavian settlers in a district primarily English.

1959 Listener 12 Mar. 449/2 The ascendancy of the U.S.A., along with that of the U.S.S.R., has relegated the scatter of European nations to subsidiary status.

1974 C. Taylor Fieldwork in Medieval Archaeol. ii. 27 Much of it [sc. the information] will probably be vague, such as notes of pottery scatters, low banks, water-filled ditches and possible old quarries.

1977 Christian 4 109 The human race is not a scatter of individuals.

3. Statistics. The degree to which repeated measurements or observations of a quantity differ; that which is measured by the variance.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > [noun] > distribution > variability or spread

spread1896

scatter1921

1921 R. S. Woodworth Psychol. (1922) xii. 273 Usually there is some ‘scatter’ in the child's successes.

1923 Proc. Royal Soc. 1922–3 A. 102 357 The question arises as to how much of the ‘scatter’ of the Gaussian curve is due to error of observation, inexperience in making the readings, accidental variations, etc., and how much is due to a real difference in the physiological equipment of the observer.

1934 Brit. Jrnl. Psychol. 24 344 The i.q.'s of the boys showed a wider scatter than those of the girls.

1963 B. Fozard Instrumentation Nucl. Reactors vii. 70 A commonly used measure of the dispersion or scatter of a number of observed values about the central values is the standard deviation.

1968 Brit. Med. Bull. 24 246/2 Most observations are subject to considerable scatter, especially where mammalian systems are used, and statistical procedures of varying complexity are called for.

a. The scattering of light or other radiation.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > refraction > [noun] > scattering

scattering1866

Rayleigh scattering1925

Thomson scattering1935

scatter1942

1942 Tee Emm (Air Ministry) 2 145 Preventing the ‘light scatter’ which comes from scratched Perspex or slightly dirty windscreens.

1962 H. C. Weston Sight, Light & Work (ed. 2) vi. 206 It is better that the increased illumination required by older eyes should be provided by ‘warmer’ illuminants so that ‘hazing’ due to scatter within the eyes is minimised.

b. spec. with reference to radio waves, frequently denoting the use of scattering within the atmosphere to extend the range of radio communication. Frequently attributive.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > telecommunication > radio communications > [noun] > radio wave > scattering of

forward scattering1950

scatter1950

tropospheric scatter1955

tropo1957

troposcatter1957

1950 Proc. IRE 38 412/2 For two-directional antennas of beam width Θ facing one another, the greatest angle of scatter that need be considered is Θ.

1956 Ann. Reg. 1955 155 It was announced that a revolutionary new system of communications, known as ‘scatter’, which was not susceptible to jamming,..would be introduced.

1958 Times 30 Apr. 6/6 A range of tropospheric scatter transmitting and receiving equipment.

1966 McGraw-Hill Encycl. Sci. & Technol. (rev. ed.) XIII. 439/1 Radio relay systems are usually more suitable than the scatter systems for overland use where intermediate radio relay stations can be constructed.

1977 Lancs. Life Nov. 83/2 On the radar screen shown here, Manchester is permanently blacked-out because of ‘scatter’ from buildings and nearby high ground, to avoid masking approaching precipitation.

Compounds

scatter diagram n. = scatter plot n.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > [noun] > graph

probability curve1863

Pearson1908

scatter diagram1925

scattergraph1935

correlogram1938

scattergram1938

scatter plot1971

1925 F. C. Mills Statist. Methods x. 366 The equation to a straight line, fitted by the method of least squares to the points on the scatter diagram, will express mathematically the average relationship between these two variables.

1937 G. U. Yule & M. C. Kendall Introd. Theory Statistics (ed. 11) xiv. 275 The scatter diagram in two dimensions may be generalised to three dimensions, and may also be used as a mental construct for higher dimensions, though no actual model can of course be made.

1960 K. Patau in Amer. Jrnl. Human Genetics XII. 255 A chromosome characterized by two quantities is best represented by a point in a two-dimensional co-ordinate system. The choice of these quantities—total length and arm index or two arm lengths, is in principle irrelevant... Let the percent length, l, of the longer arm serve as abscissa and the percent length, s, of the shorter arm as ordinate. The scatter diagram obtained by plotting in this manner all chromosomes of the given complement will henceforth be referred to as a ‘karyogram’.

1971 Nature 9 Apr. 390/2 Scatter diagrams were drawn to show mean concentrations of albumin, γ-globulin, fibrinogen and cholesterol against age.

scatter plot n. Statistics a diagram having two variates plotted along its two axes and in which points are placed to show the values of these variates for each of a number of subjects, so that the form of the association between the variates can be seen.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > [noun] > graph

probability curve1863

Pearson1908

scatter diagram1925

scattergraph1935

correlogram1938

scattergram1938

scatter plot1971

1971 Jrnl. General Psychol. 85 266 Inspection of the scatter plot..indicates that any index of relationship would be misleading.

1973 Jrnl. Genetic Psychol. 122 45 Guilford's triangular scatterplot conceptualization of intelligence-creativity relationship seemed most congruent with the present..data.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

scatterv.

Brit.

/ˈskatə/, U.S.

/ˈskædər/

Forms: Middle English scatere, Middle English–1500s scater, skater, Middle English schatre, scatir(e, Middle English scatre, Middle English skatre, ( schatir), 1500s scattre, skattir, sketer, 1600s skatter, 1500s– scatter.

Etymology: Early Middle English (12th cent., Midland); of obscure origin; formed with iterative suffix (see -er suffix⁵).This and shatter v. (which appears much later) are commonly regarded as respectively northern and southern representatives of an Old English *sc(e)aterian , which is referred to a supposed Germanic root *skat- cognate with Greek σκεδ-αννύναι to scatter. The etymological identity of the two verbs seems, however, doubtful, although they have some affinity of sense. It is true that in Middle English scatter occurs only in northern and midland texts, with one exception (quot. c1330 at sense 3a); and that in this sole southern instance the manuscript spells it with sch , which should normally stand for /ʃ/. But initial /sk/ from Old English sc in a native word would be no less abnormal in northern and midland than in southern English. The alleged cognates in Dutch and Low German are questionable. Two instances are cited of Middle Dutch schaderen , with the senses ‘to squander (money)’, ‘to shed (blood)’; but this does not agree in form. The sense ‘to scatter’ assigned to early modern Dutch schetteren , rests on the authority of Kilian, whose citation of the English word renders his testimony suspicious. The Dutch and Middle Low German schateren to resound, to laugh uproariously (Middle Low German once, to be shattered by an explosion) would seem to be onomatopoeic; at least their sense cannot easily be derived from that assigned to the alleged Germanic root. Compare scat v.² and squatter v.

1. transitive. To dissipate, squander (goods or possessions). Obsolete or archaic.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > possession > relinquishing > squandering or prodigality > squander [verb (transitive)]

forspendc893

scatter1154

dispend1303

waste1340

misspendc1390

miswastec1400

consumec1425

waste1474

profund1527

lasha1535

prodige1538

lavish1542

to play away1562

riot1566

embezzle1578

dilapidate1590

squander1593

confound1598

to make ducks and drakes of or withc1600

prodigalize1611

profuse1611

squander1611

paddle1616

bezzle1617

to run out of ——1622

to piss away1628

prodigal1628

decoct1629

to bangle (away)1632

debauch1632

deboise1632

to fribble away1633

to fool out1635

to run outa1640

to fiddle away1667

slattera1681

dissipate1682

to play off1693

duck-and-drake1700

liquidate1702

sparkle away1703

waster1821

befool1861

to frivol away1866

to play (at) duck and drake with1872

to fling away1873

mislive1887

slather1904

mucker1928

profligate1938

peter1956

spaff2002

the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > misuse > [verb (transitive)] > waste

spilla1000

scatter1154

aspilla1250

rospa1325

waste1340

spend1390

consumec1425

waste1474

miswenda1500

forsumea1510

to cast away1530

to throw away1561

embezzle1578

squander1593

palter1595

profuse1611

squander1611

ravel1614

sport1622

to fool away1628

to stream out1628

to fribble away1633

sweal1655

frisk1665

to fiddle away1667

wantonize1673

slattera1681

swattle1681

drivel1686

swatter1690

to muddle away1707

squander1717

sot1746

slattern1747

meisle1808

fritter1820

waster1821

slobber1837

to cut to waste1863

fringe1863

potter1883

putter1911

profligate1938

to piddle away1942

haemorrhage1978

spaff2002

1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 1137 He hadde get his tresor ac he to deld it & scatered sotlice.

c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. II. 78 For ȝif þes ordres geten nevere so myche good, þei seien þat al is þer ordris, and it were a deedli synne to scatire þes goodis in þe world.

c1522 T. More Treat. Memorare Nouissima in Wks. (1557) I. 94 They would..neuer be so mad, gredily to gather together that other men shal merely sone after scatter abrode.

1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ vi. xvii. 31 I leave the rest of all my goods to my first-born Edward, to be consum'd or scatter'd (for I never hoped better).

a1716 R. South Serm. Several Occasions (1744) VIII. 326 And was it not worth the..seeing his substance scattered, his children struck dead, [etc.].

absolute.1879 G. Campbell White & Black in U.S. 243 Mr. J—— says the Germans are the only men who are saving; all the rest scatter.

a. To separate and drive in various directions (a body of people or animals, a collection of things); to disperse, dissipate (a quantity of matter); to dispel (clouds, mists).

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (intransitive)] > drive away in all directions

scattera1300

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (transitive)] > drive away > drive away in all directions

to-driveOE

to-dreveOE

to-skairc1175

scattera1300

skaila1300

disparplea1325

sheda1325

discatterc1330

to-scattera1382

sparple1382

to-rusha1387

to-sparplea1387

deperpeyla1400

rat1402

sever1412

to-ratc1440

disparklec1449

scarkle1450

sparklea1470

disperse1503

shudderc1540

sparse1549

dissipate?c1550

to wap sindry1563

squander1622

rout1641

to feeze about1689

the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (transitive)] > make clear > dispel (clouds or mist)

scatter1596

a1300 E.E. Psalter xvii. 16 [xviii. 14] And he sent his arwes, and skatered þa.

c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xxvi. 31 I shal smyte the sheperde, and the sheep of the floc shulen be scatered.

1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 3 Duck downe theire fleete wyth a tempest, Or ships wyde scatter.

1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 453 Lyk a certane sone, new risen to skail and skattir the Cloudis of al tumulte.

1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III iv. iv. 442 Buckinghams armie is disperst and scattered .

1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice i. i. 33 Dangerous rocks, which touching but my gentle vessels side would scatter all her spices on the streame.

1657 W. Coles Adam in Eden xxiii. 49 The Leaves of wild Clary..put into Pottage..scatter congealed blood.

1788 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 426 Some spumy, fiery, ignisfatuus matter, Such as the slightest breath of air might scatter.

1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. iii. 30 A breeze..keen and hostile, scattering the snow.

1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest IV. xviii. 117 The terrible name of Odo scattered them in all directions.

1879 M. E. Braddon Cloven Foot xxviii ‘What has become of all the photographs?’.. ‘Given to Tom, Dick and Harry—scattered to the four winds. I have not kept one of them.’

absolute.1594 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. II. 283 It is the nature of this enemy of mankind [sc. the Devil] to scatter, to disioyne and separat.figurative.1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 45 So doth God scatter the counsells of his enemies. [Cf. Vulg. Ps. xxxii[i]. 10 Dominus dissipet consilia gentium.]a1822 P. B. Shelley tr. P. Calderon Scenes from Magico Prodigioso in Posthumous Poems (1824) 390 So that Heaven May scatter thy delusions.1869 W. E. H. Lecky Hist. European Morals I. iii. 430 No one did more to scatter the ancient superstitions than did Cicero.

b. intransitive for reflexive. To separate and disperse; to go dispersedly or stragglingly. †Also of a hawk: To go to a distance.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter or be dispersed [verb (intransitive)]

scatterc1430

shedc1485

sprattlea1500

spirtle1725

squander1823

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > go away in all directions > be driven in all directions

to-flyc1000

to-drevea1225

sparplec1330

to-shedc1330

skaila1400

disparplec1400

scatterc1430

sparklec1440

shedc1485

disrout1525

disparkle1553

shattera1620

disperse1665

squander1823

the world > animals > birds > order Falconiformes (falcons, etc.) > family Accipitridae (hawks, etc.) > [verb (intransitive)] > actions of hawk, etc.

mutea1475

mutessa1475

to put overa1475

feat1508

to check at the fista1529

feakc1575

souse1589

to clip it1616

embowel1618

unenterpen1647

gather1674

enterpen1736

scatter1771

c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 158 And kepe we vs to-gedre trew That we skater not a-sondre.

1486 Bk. St. Albans b iij b When thay [a Couy of partrichys] be putt upp, and begynne to scatre, ye most haue markeris to marke some of thaym.

?c1600 (c1515) Sc. Field (Lyme) 353 in I. F. Baird Poems Stanley Family (D.Phil. thesis, Univ. of Birm.) (1990) 245 When the Scottes and the ketericks seen our men sketer, They..came downwarde.

1610 J. Guillim Display of Heraldrie ii. iv. 47 The Fillet is shaped long and narrow for the more commodious vse of women in..restraining of their haire from scattering about theire browes.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iii. ii. 126 The Commons like an angry Hiue of Bees That want their Leader, scatter vp and downe.

1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §138 Sound diffuseth it selfe in round..; But if the Sound, which would scatter in Open Aire, be made to goe all into a Canale; It must needs giue greater force to the Sound.

1771 Encycl. Brit. II. 541/2 She [the falcon] must also have two good bells, that she may be found when she scattereth.

1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc vi. 309 Aright, aleft, The affrighted foemen scatter from his spear.

1796 W. Withering Arrangem. Brit. Plants (ed. 3) II. 74 The stems generally decline and scatter from each other, instead of being upright and close together.

1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna vi. xix. 137 When on my foes a sudden terror came, And they fled, scattering.

1909 Blackwood's Mag. Aug. 230/2 The fugitives scattered for miles, bearing appalling tales of massacre.

c. reflexive. Now rare or Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (reflexive)]

scatter1535

shed1589

dispersea1616

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (reflexive)] > go away in all directions

shedc1400

scatter1535

sever1591

1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Chron. xv. B The Philistynes came, and scatered them selues beneth in y^e valley of Rephaim [thē (them) in text].

1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 128/2 They be enimies to the Churche, and scatter themselues farre from vs.

1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes iv. ii. 175 in Wks. II Shu. He'll let you ha' your liberty— Alm. Goe forth, Whither you please, and to what company— Mad. Scatter your selfe amongst vs.

†d. transitive. To separate, drive apart (one or more individuals from the main body). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separate [verb (transitive)] > separate from main body

skillc1175

to tell outc1325

shillc1440

sequestrate1513

sorta1535

shoal1571

segregate1579

dismember1580

single1582

scatter1588

disgregate1593

recond1608

sepone1619

sequester1625

canton1653

to cantonize outa1670

portion1777

to set off1795

to comb out1854

distinguish1866

split1924

hive off1931

section1960

separate1962

1588 Earl of Leicester in State Papers Defeat Spanish Armada (1894) II. 35 Two of the greatest carracks that the King of Spain had in his fleet, being scattered from the rest.

a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Derb. 234 Their ships with the violence of the Wind were much shattered, and the Bonaventure, scattered from the other two ships.

†e. figurative. To dissipate, distract (the mind, etc.).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > mental wandering > lack of concentration, distraction > distract [verb (transitive)]

fortogglea1300

to call away1529

scatter1530

forhale1579

to draw away1586

diffuse?1587

to call off1606

divert1609

to put out1616

avoke1623

disjoint1628

to take a person out of himself (herself, etc.)1631

to draw off1646

divertise1648

to take off1670

dissipate1684

to turn off1741

to throw out1821

to turn away1848

1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 122 A warnynge to take hede, that yf the mynde were eny thynge scatered before, then to gather yt ageyne to gyther.

1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes iv. ii. 131 in Wks. II Look, look, how all their eyes Dance i' their heads (obserue) scatter'd with lust!

1715 tr. Thomas à Kempis Christian's Exercise iii. xv. 138 If thou art hereby scattered in thy Mind.

a. transitive. To throw about in disorder in various places.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > absence of arrangement > disarrange [verb (transitive)] > throw about in disorder

scatterc1330

rummage1591

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)] > scatter (things) about in disorder

scatterc1330

sparplea1350

tedc1560

straggle1589

squatter1611

disparple1613

flurr1661

litter1734

c1330 Arth. & Merl. (Kölbing) 553 Ac þo þai come þider eft, Her werk was al vp aleft & yschatred here & þere.

c1386 G. Chaucer Canon's Yeoman's Prol. & Tale 361 The pot to~breketh..And somme [of the metals] are scatered al the floor aboute.

1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xx. 142 The fragments of rock scattered about were..polar.

†b. To throw down (a thing) negligently; to drop. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > throw down > negligently or untidily

scattera1640

dab1772

a1640 Wizard (MS.) It is directed to you; some love-letter, on my life, that Luce hath scattered.

a. To distribute to various positions; to place here and there at irregular intervals. Chiefly in past participle.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)] > scatter here and there at intervals

disparplea1325

scatterc1380

sprinkle?1518

sparse1608

resperse1649

c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 445 Mykel more if newe religious be skaterud in Cristendome.

1549 E. Allen tr. L. Juda Paraphr. Reuelacion S. John f. 8, in M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II These are y^e messengers of Antichrist, scattrid thoroweout the whole worlde.

1712 J. Swift Proposal for Eng. Tongue 11 William the Conqueror proceeded much further; bringing over with him vast numbers of that Nation; scattering them in every Monastery.

1837 J. G. Lockhart Mem. Life Scott I. x. 326 Many tributes to his memory are scattered over his friend's other works.

1857 J. Ruskin Polit. Econ. Art ii. 130 So long as works of art are scattered through the nation, no universal destruction of them is possible.

1882 P. G. Tait in Encycl. Brit. XIV. 583/1 If stars be scattered through infinite space, with average closeness.

†b. intransitive in present participle used with a verb of rest (= ‘scattered’). Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter or be dispersed [verb (intransitive)] > be scattered at intervals

scatter1555

1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions Pref. 6 From Adam to the floud..when men liued skateryng on the earthe.

1716 B. Church Entertaining Passages Philip's War ii. 107 He answered, there were several Families, but they liv'd scattering.

1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture I. 66/2 Laying all the..earth into the furrow again inward, so that none might lie scattering outward.

c. transitive. Baseball. Of a pitcher: to yield (hits) only at intervals and so restrict scoring.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > baseball > play baseball [verb (transitive)] > actions of pitcher

pitch1848

curve1877

to put over1891

scatter1892

save1899

to put across1903

walk1905

fan1909

plunk1909

southpaw1911

whiff1914

sidearm1921

sidearm1922

outpitch1928

blow1938

hang1967

wild pitch1970

1892 Chicago Herald 25 May 6/1 Young kept the hits well scattered.

1954 Post-Herald (Birmingham, Alabama) 7 June 7/2 Winning pitcher was Dave Benedict, who relieved in the first inning and scattered four hits the rest of the way.

1976 Billings (Montana) Gaz. 27 June 2- f/4 Joaquin Andujar scattered 10 hits Saturday to pace the Houston Astros to a 3–0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

a. To throw or send forth so that the particles are distributed or spread about; to sow or throw (seed, money, etc.) broadcast; to sprinkle, strew; to diffuse (fragrance).

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)]

to-shedc888

skairc1175

skaila1400

disparklec1449

scatter?c1450

spartlec1475

sprattlea1500

distribute?c1510

disperge1530

shudderc1540

crumble1547

pour1574

sperse1580

disject1581

spatter1582

distract1589

sparflec1600

esparse1625

fan1639

disperse1654

sparge1786

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)] > scatter broadcast

shedc1000

sprengeOE

discatterc1330

shatterc1330

sowa1387

spilla1400

shadec1425

sparklec1440

scatter?c1450

distribute?c1510

sparse?1550

to cast seed1577

bescatter1859

to sow, scatter, throw, etc. broadcast1874

?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 4682 Molle on þair heueds þai scaterd.

1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 699/1 I scatter small thynges abrode, as peasyn, or beanes.

1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms cxlvii. 16 He..scatereth y^e horefrost like ashes.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) ii. vii. 22 As it [sc. the Nile] ebbes, the Seedsman Vpon the slime and Ooze scatters his graine.

1644 R. Symonds Diary (1859) 54 Some of our men by the King's command scattered some papers, that if any would come in..they should be pardoned.

1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 107 The Governor..bestows his Largess..liberally scattering Rupees.

a1822 P. B. Shelley Ginevra in Posthumous Poems (1824) 233 The matin winds from the expanded flowers, Scatter their hoarded incense.

1861 J. M. Campbell in Bere Garland of Songs 61 We plough the fields and scatter The good seed on the land.

absolute.a1771 T. Gray Ess. I in W. Mason Mem. Life & Writings (1775) 194 Scatter with a free, tho' frugal hand.

b. transferred and figurative. Also, †to spread (reports, a prophecy).

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > information > publishing or spreading abroad > publish or spread abroad [verb (transitive)]

sowc888

blowc1275

dispeple1297

to do abroadc1300

fame1303

publyc1350

defamea1382

publisha1382

open?1387

proclaima1393

slandera1400

spreada1400

abroachc1400

throwc1400

to give outa1425

promote?a1425

noisec1425

publicc1430

noisec1440

divulgea1464

to put outc1475

skail1487

to come out witha1500

bruit1525

bruita1529

to bear out1530

divulgate1530

promulgate1530

propale?1530

ventilate1530

provulgate1535

sparple1536

sparse1536

promulge1539

disperse1548

publicate1548

forthtell1549

hurly-burly?1550

propagate1554

to set abroada1555

utter1561

to set forth1567

blaze1570

evulgate1570

scatter1576

rear?1577

to carry about1585

pervulgate1586

celebrate?1596

propalate1598

vent1602

evulge1611

to give forth1611

impublic1628

ventilate1637

disseminate1643

expose1644

emit1650

to put about1664

to send abroad1681

to get abroad1688

to take out1697

advertise1710

forward1713

to set abouta1715

circulate1780

broadcast1829

vent1832

vulgate1851

debit1879

float1883

1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 118 O ioyfull report, and most acceptable rumour, which was scatered abroade.

a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) i. ii. 54 His plausiue words He scatter'd not in eares, but grafted them To grow there and to beare.

a1662 P. Heylyn Cyprianus Angl. (1671) ii. 251 The Lady Davies..scatters a Prophesie against him.

a1771 T. Gray in T. J. Mathias Observ. Writings & Character Mr. Gray (1815) 47 The song-thrush there Scatters his loose notes.

1858 H. W. Longfellow Courtship Miles Standish iv. 74 A hand-grenade, that scatters destruction around it.

c. intransitive for reflexive.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter or be dispersed [verb (intransitive)] > be scattered in particles

flitter1548

scatter1577

shatter1577

pepper1857

1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 35 When it [sc. Chyche] is rype it must be geathered.., for it scattereth very soone.

1642 Bp. J. Taylor Of Sacred Order Episcopacy (1647) 233 The Bishop should separate the scabbed sheep from the sound, least their infection scatter.

1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 99 The small Shot..scattered among them.

1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna vi. xlvi. 151 A wood Whose bloom-inwoven leaves now scattering fed The hungry storm.

d. Of a gun, a cartridge: To distribute (the shot). Chiefly absol.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > discharge firearms [verb (intransitive)] > of gun: go off or fire

fire1542

discharge1565

shoota1575

go1598

to let fly1611

scatter1736

poop1915

society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > fire (a gun) [verb (transitive)] > of gun: project (shot or missile)

convey1634

scatter1881

1736 Compl. Family-piece i. ii. 243 You must also be well acquainted with the Condition of the Gun, whether it be apt to scatter, or carry the Shot round within Compass.

1823 J. F. Cooper Pioneers I. i. 9 The gun scatters well.

1881 W. W. Greener Gun & its Devel. 439 Cartridge loaded to scatter the shot.

e. Physics. Of a surface, semi-opaque substance: To throw back (light) brokenly in all directions. More widely, to deflect, diffuse, or reflect (radiation, particles, or the like) in a more or less random fashion. Also absol.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > refraction > refract [verb (transitive)] > scatter

disperse1654

scatter1833

the world > matter > physics > science of sound > vibration > scatter component tones [verb (transitive)]

scatter1878

the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > particle physics > action of dispersing particles > disperse particles [verb (transitive)]

scatter1911

the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > radioactivity > alpha radiation > reflect [verb (transitive)] > scatter

scatter1911

the world > matter > physics > science of sound > sound-waves > emit, transmit [verb (transitive)]

propagate1656

transmit1833

scatter1955

1833 J. F. W. Herschel Astron. §45 (1839) 32 The sun..illuminates the atmosphere and clouds, and these again disperse and scatter a portion of its light in all directions.

1878 Ld. Rayleigh Theory of Sound II. xv. 139 If the primary sound be a compound musical note, the various component tones are scattered in unlike proportions.

1882 P. G. Tait in Encycl. Brit. XIV. 583/2 In order that a surface may be illuminated..it must be capable of scattering light.

1891 Hurter & Driffield in W. B. Ferguson Photogr. Res. F. Hurter & V. C. Driffield (1920) 146 Captain Abney has discovered that negatives ‘scatter’ so much light that our instrument cannot possibly measure all the light which a negative transmits.

1911 London, Edinb. & Dublin Philos. Mag. 6th Ser. 21 675 In these calculations, it is assumed that the α particles scattered through a large angle suffer only one large deflexion.

1938 R. W. Lawson tr. G. von Hevesy & F. A. Paneth Man. Radioactivity (ed. 2) vii. 75 Hydrogen nuclei alone behave differently, for they scatter [neutrons] very much more strongly than would be expected from the magnitude of the cross-section of hydrogen nuclei.

1955 T. F. Hueter & R. H. Bolt Sonics vi. 232 This limits the sound pressure that can be transmitted beyond the point where cavitation first occurs since the bubbles present will scatter and dissipate a part of the sound energy.

1955 C. G. Darwin in W. Pauli Niels Bohr & Devel. Physics 6 There were a few α-particles scattered through such broad angles, even right backwards, that no conceivable compound effect could possibly explain them.

1959 Listener 18 June 1057/1 The distortions introduced by scattering a signal from such a surface might not be too serious.

1971 Sci. Amer. June 61/2 Since the neutron and the proton respond to the electromagnetic force, they scatter electrons aimed at them.

f. intransitive. Physics. Of radiation, particles, etc.: to undergo scattering.

ΘΚΠ

the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > refraction > undergo scattering [verb (intransitive)]

scatter1971

the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > particle physics > action of dispersing particles > undergo scattering [verb (intransitive)]

scatter1971

the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > particle physics > particle participating in strong interaction > baryon > undergo scattering [verb (intransitive)]

scatter1971

1971 Nature 16 July 167/2 The double reflexion mechanism gives way to multiple reflexions, that is, a ray is trapped in surface cavities before scattering out, randomizing the polarization.

1975 Nature 25 Sept. 275/1 The majority of the energy is carried by phonons which inelastically scatter at the interface.

1980 Sci. Amer. July 57/1 Inside it an entering gamma-ray photon typically scatters off several electrons in succession.

6. transitive. To sprinkle or strew with something.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)] > scatter (a surface) with something

sticka1350

setc1386

ficche1413

sprinkle?1518

scatter1590

sow1611

spatter1647

shower1798

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. x. sig. K2 A narrow way, Scattred with bushy thornes, and ragged breares.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xi. 653 Now scatterd lies With Carcasses and Arms th' ensanguind Field Deserted.

1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 113 The Ground was scattered with Elephants Teeth.

1902 E. Phillpotts River i Where the desert spread, all scattered with great stones.

Compounds

C1.

scatteraway n. rare dispersion.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > [noun] > driving away > driving away in all directions

sparpling1434

dispersionc1450

skailing?c1450

sparklingc1460

disparplinga1513

dissipation1545

dispersing1604

segregationa1616

scatteration1776

disjectiona1806

dispersal1821

scatteraway1851

spreadeagling1869

1851 F. Palgrave Hist. Normandy & Eng. I. 325 So complete was the scatteraway, that one of the brethren never stopped till he reached Saint-Gâll.

scatter bomb n. a bomb that scatters its material over a wide area; also figurative.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > explosive device > [noun] > bomb > fragmentation

fragmentation bomb1918

grass cutter1925

parafrag bomb1944

scatter bomb1961

lazy dog1965

cluster bomb1967

pellet bomb1967

mother-bomb1971

nail bomb1971

1961 Webster's 3rd New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Scatter bomb.

1973 J. Quick Dict. Weapons 386/1 Fragmentation bombs or fragmentation clusters, as well as certain incendiary bombs equipped with bursters, are scatter bombs.

1977 Rolling Stone 16 June 43/2 Okay, Scorsese is a violent scatter-bomb.

1977 Daily Tel. 3 Aug. 5/5 West Germany's new scatter bomb..comprises more than 1,000 mini-bombs which can be fired in different patterns by rockets triggered from the cockpit.

scatter bombing n. bombing carried out haphazardly over an area.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > hostilities in the air > [noun] > air operation > bombing raid > dropping of bombs > manner of

area bombardment1918

straddling1919

pattern-bombing1933

terror-bombing1933

dive-bombing1935

firebombing1935

blind-bombing1940

blitzing1940

coventrating1940

nuisance bombing1940

scatter bombing1940

coventration1942

carpet bombing1943

obliteration bombing1943

skip-bombing1943

shuttle bombing1944

atom bombing1945

atomic bombing1945

clobbering1948

loft-bombing1956

1940 Aeroplane 13 Sept. 314/1 The scatter-bombing..must at times have sorely tried pilots who had seen the effects of it.

scatter-charge n.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > missile > ammunition for firearms > [noun] > charge > scatter charge

scatter-charge1881

spread charge1892

scatter load1901

1881 W. W. Greener Gun & its Devel. 439 The scatter-charge has good penetration at 30 and 40 yards.

scatter load n. a charge for a gun, made to distribute the shot when fired.

ΘΚΠ

society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > missile > ammunition for firearms > [noun] > charge > scatter charge

scatter-charge1881

spread charge1892

scatter load1901

1901 W. W. Greener Gun (ed. 8) Index Scatter loads.

scattershot n. originally and chiefly North American the shot contained in a scatter-charge; also used figuratively (chiefly attributively) to designate something of a random, haphazard, or indiscriminate character (cf. scattergun n. 2).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > misjudgement > indiscriminateness > [adjective]

blinda1400

unchoosinga1586

undiscerning1589

unrespective1609

irrespecting1625

promiscuous1633

incurious1645

indistinct1650

irrespective1650

uncritical1659

indiscerning1664

undistinguishing1665

undistinguishable1702

unrefining1735

indiscriminating1754

undiscriminating1776

indiscriminate1792

unfastidious1816

rough1819

lumping1827

indistinguishing1828

unparticularizing1828

farraginous1837

imperceiverant1844

scattergun1845

undistinctive1851

indiscriminative1854

unselecting1895

scattershot1961

the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > misjudgement > indiscriminateness > [noun] > one who or that which is indiscriminate

confounder1739

lumper1857

impurist1937

scattershot1961

society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > missile > ammunition for firearms > [noun] > bullet or shot collectively > shot > small

pellet1372

die?c1390

hail-shot1485

die-shot1581

dice-shot1588

birdshot1626

key-shot1648

mould shot1675

cartridge-shot1690

small shot1727

drop1753

shot-cornc1792

dust-shot1800

sparrow-hail1859

steel1898

scattershot1961

1961 Webster's 3rd New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Scattershot.

1965 Economist 19 June 1393/2 The President's..scatter-shot efforts to reduce the government's spending.

1967 Boston Globe 5 Apr. 51/2 Jack Nicklaus is more concerned over his scattershot driver than the threat of mumps.

1972 Publishers Weekly 10 July 42/2 Shirley Green brings more scattershot curiosity than serious learning to her ‘history’.

1974 State (Columbia, S. Carolina) 27 Feb. 18- a/6 When demagogic politicians ride the land firing scatter shot, nobody..is safe unless he shares their prejudices.

1978 R. Stevens Law & Politics 505 The future of the judicial role in England..may lie far more with subtle use of judicial restraint than with scattershot judicial activism.

scatter-site adj. U.S. = scattered-site n. at scattered adj. 2b.

ΘΚΠ

society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > district in relation to human occupation > town as opposed to country > [adjective] > types of planning or development

mononucleated1930

strip-built1936

polynucleated1938

greenfield1940

scattered-site1956

inclusionary1971

scatter-site1972

1972 N.Y. Times 3 Nov. 16/2 The scatter-site housing dispute in Forest Hills.

1977 New Yorker 27 June 85/2 Jimmy Carter's mention of his belief in ethnic purity..in response to a News reporter's question about scattter-site housing.

† scatter-story n. Obsolete one who ‘spreads’ a report or story.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun] > chatting or chat > one who chats or gossips > one who spreads rumours

ear-rounder?1387

tidings-makerc1440

runkera1500

rumourera1616

scatter-storya1670

gazette1703

quidnunc1709

anecdote-monger1761

what-now1890

yenta1923

a1670 J. Hacket Cent. Serm. (1675) 734 Ælian, and some other such scatter-stories as himself, do make more reports of..unreasonable creatures, than of reasonable men.

scatter-tuft n. the genus Sporochnus, one of the algals ( Encycl. Dict., 1887).

† scatter-wise adv. Obsolete in straggling order.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > absence of arrangement > [adverb] > with irregular arrangement

at, to (the) straggle1488

stragglingly1579

extravagantly1623

disordinately1830

scatter-wise1875

dislocatedly1883

sprawlingly1921

1875 G. W. Dasent Vikings III. xviii. 278 They sail very scatter-wise in coming back, if, indeed, these few ships be part of the host.

C2. attributive passing into adj. Designating one of a number (intended to be) scattered decoratively here and there, as scatter cushion, scatter pin, scatter rug, etc. Originally U.S.

ΚΠ

1933 ‘E. Queen’ Siamese Twin Myst. i. ii. 30 A living~room..dotted with armchairs and small scatter-rugs.

1946 Negro Digest Aug. 51/1 Its large living room has a vaulted ceiling and arched beams, and the floor is covered with deer skins and scatter rugs.

1957 J. D. Salinger in New Yorker 4 May 123/1 Three domestic Oriental scatter rugs, extremely worn, were on the floor.

1960 Woman 5 Mar. 19/1 Scatter cushions have become a favourite furnishing accessory.

1960 I. Wallach Absence of Cello 13 She stopped first at the jewelry counter where she sneered at some scatter pins.

1966 T. Pynchon Crying of Lot 49 ii. 36 Bracelets then, scatterpins, earrings, a pendant.

1974 J. Irving 158-Pound Marriage 104 The bed..had pitched the mattress and us across the scatter rug.

1976 L. Deighton Twinkle, twinkle, Little Spy xviii. 185 There [were]..scatter-cushions on the floor.

1980 P. Harcourt Tomorrow's Treason i. i. 31 The floor was..wood with a couple of bright scatter mats.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	scatter
释义	scattern. Brit. /ˈskatə/, U.S. /ˈskædər/ Etymology: < scatter v. 1. a. The action or an act of scattering; wide or irregular distribution; dispersion. Now chiefly with reference to shot. ΘΚΠ the world > space > extension in space > spreading or diffusion > [noun] spreadinga1250 skeltingc1540 diffusion1585 prosemination1611 scatter1642 dissemination1646 radiation1658 dispersion1664 spread1757 distribution1860 dispersal1863 scatteration1892 spreadation1925 1642 J. Weall Preparative for Fast 4 We are exposed aswell to Forraigne and intestine mischiefes. This divide and scatter, if it be not prevented, will be no small curse. 1650 T. Vaughan Anthroposophia Theomagica Advt. to Rdr. 68 Let Them [sc. the Galenists] not mangle, and discompose my Book with a scatter of Observations, but proceed Methodically to the Censure of each part. 1893 Westm. Gaz. 14 Dec. 5/1 Had there been no deflection from the hard skull the shot..would have been smaller in scatter than it is. b. transferred in Linguistics. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > linguistics > [noun] > specific features of linguistic analysis structuring1890 over-differentiation1921 hypostasis1933 contextualization1934 scatter1934 opposition1936 minimality1953 mapping1955 biuniqueness1959 linearity1959 n-gram1963 meta-condition1972 optionality1972 1934 J. R. Firth Papers in Ling. 1934–51 (1957) ii. 4 All the common phonetic contexts of each phoneme should be stated, and the contextual spread or ‘scatter’ of the phonemes compared. This knowledge of the contextual scatter of a phoneme will be found of the greatest importance for the statement of our future sound laws. 1935 J. R. Firth in Trans. Philol. Soc. 45 The frequency of reference to sex had necessarily extended what I term the formal scatter of the word, and we now have sexed, sexless, sexy, sexiness, even sexology. 1963 J. Lyons Struct. Semantics vii. 178 One point that seemed to be of relevance in the inquiry was the defective formal ‘scatter’ of the lexeme εἰδέναι. 2. A quantity loosely distributed or interspersed; a scattering, sprinkling; also spec. in Archaeology. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > [noun] > that which is scattered > a quantity scattered scatter1859 sputter1886 the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > [noun] > scattering in small particles or sprinkling > that which is sprinkled sprinkle1575 sprinkling1602 powdering1626 strinkling1660 spray1750 scatter1954 1859 R. F. Burton in Jrnl. Royal Geogr. Soc. 29 158 Its sole displays quartzose sand, with scatters of granite. 1888 Daily News 17 May 5/8 The bodice, too, had a scatter of diamonds and pearls. 1943 V. Sackville-West Eagle & Dove iii. 17 A sick woman with a scatter of high-spirited children to control would welcome any method of keeping them quiet. 1954 J. B. Mitchell Hist. Geogr. iii. 73 A scatter of Scandinavian settlers in a district primarily English. 1959 Listener 12 Mar. 449/2 The ascendancy of the U.S.A., along with that of the U.S.S.R., has relegated the scatter of European nations to subsidiary status. 1974 C. Taylor Fieldwork in Medieval Archaeol. ii. 27 Much of it [sc. the information] will probably be vague, such as notes of pottery scatters, low banks, water-filled ditches and possible old quarries. 1977 Christian 4 109 The human race is not a scatter of individuals. 3. Statistics. The degree to which repeated measurements or observations of a quantity differ; that which is measured by the variance. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > [noun] > distribution > variability or spread spread1896 scatter1921 1921 R. S. Woodworth Psychol. (1922) xii. 273 Usually there is some ‘scatter’ in the child's successes. 1923 Proc. Royal Soc. 1922–3 A. 102 357 The question arises as to how much of the ‘scatter’ of the Gaussian curve is due to error of observation, inexperience in making the readings, accidental variations, etc., and how much is due to a real difference in the physiological equipment of the observer. 1934 Brit. Jrnl. Psychol. 24 344 The i.q.'s of the boys showed a wider scatter than those of the girls. 1963 B. Fozard Instrumentation Nucl. Reactors vii. 70 A commonly used measure of the dispersion or scatter of a number of observed values about the central values is the standard deviation. 1968 Brit. Med. Bull. 24 246/2 Most observations are subject to considerable scatter, especially where mammalian systems are used, and statistical procedures of varying complexity are called for. 4. a. The scattering of light or other radiation. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > refraction > [noun] > scattering scattering1866 Rayleigh scattering1925 Thomson scattering1935 scatter1942 1942 Tee Emm (Air Ministry) 2 145 Preventing the ‘light scatter’ which comes from scratched Perspex or slightly dirty windscreens. 1962 H. C. Weston Sight, Light & Work (ed. 2) vi. 206 It is better that the increased illumination required by older eyes should be provided by ‘warmer’ illuminants so that ‘hazing’ due to scatter within the eyes is minimised. b. spec. with reference to radio waves, frequently denoting the use of scattering within the atmosphere to extend the range of radio communication. Frequently attributive. ΘΚΠ society > communication > telecommunication > radio communications > [noun] > radio wave > scattering of forward scattering1950 scatter1950 tropospheric scatter1955 tropo1957 troposcatter1957 1950 Proc. IRE 38 412/2 For two-directional antennas of beam width Θ facing one another, the greatest angle of scatter that need be considered is Θ. 1956 Ann. Reg. 1955 155 It was announced that a revolutionary new system of communications, known as ‘scatter’, which was not susceptible to jamming,..would be introduced. 1958 Times 30 Apr. 6/6 A range of tropospheric scatter transmitting and receiving equipment. 1966 McGraw-Hill Encycl. Sci. & Technol. (rev. ed.) XIII. 439/1 Radio relay systems are usually more suitable than the scatter systems for overland use where intermediate radio relay stations can be constructed. 1977 Lancs. Life Nov. 83/2 On the radar screen shown here, Manchester is permanently blacked-out because of ‘scatter’ from buildings and nearby high ground, to avoid masking approaching precipitation. Compounds scatter diagram n. = scatter plot n. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > [noun] > graph probability curve1863 Pearson1908 scatter diagram1925 scattergraph1935 correlogram1938 scattergram1938 scatter plot1971 1925 F. C. Mills Statist. Methods x. 366 The equation to a straight line, fitted by the method of least squares to the points on the scatter diagram, will express mathematically the average relationship between these two variables. 1937 G. U. Yule & M. C. Kendall Introd. Theory Statistics (ed. 11) xiv. 275 The scatter diagram in two dimensions may be generalised to three dimensions, and may also be used as a mental construct for higher dimensions, though no actual model can of course be made. 1960 K. Patau in Amer. Jrnl. Human Genetics XII. 255 A chromosome characterized by two quantities is best represented by a point in a two-dimensional co-ordinate system. The choice of these quantities—total length and arm index or two arm lengths, is in principle irrelevant... Let the percent length, l, of the longer arm serve as abscissa and the percent length, s, of the shorter arm as ordinate. The scatter diagram obtained by plotting in this manner all chromosomes of the given complement will henceforth be referred to as a ‘karyogram’. 1971 Nature 9 Apr. 390/2 Scatter diagrams were drawn to show mean concentrations of albumin, γ-globulin, fibrinogen and cholesterol against age. scatter plot n. Statistics a diagram having two variates plotted along its two axes and in which points are placed to show the values of these variates for each of a number of subjects, so that the form of the association between the variates can be seen. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > number > probability or statistics > [noun] > graph probability curve1863 Pearson1908 scatter diagram1925 scattergraph1935 correlogram1938 scattergram1938 scatter plot1971 1971 Jrnl. General Psychol. 85 266 Inspection of the scatter plot..indicates that any index of relationship would be misleading. 1973 Jrnl. Genetic Psychol. 122 45 Guilford's triangular scatterplot conceptualization of intelligence-creativity relationship seemed most congruent with the present..data. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online March 2022). scatterv. Brit. /ˈskatə/, U.S. /ˈskædər/ Forms: Middle English scatere, Middle English–1500s scater, skater, Middle English schatre, scatir(e, Middle English scatre, Middle English skatre, ( schatir), 1500s scattre, skattir, sketer, 1600s skatter, 1500s– scatter. Etymology: Early Middle English (12th cent., Midland); of obscure origin; formed with iterative suffix (see -er suffix⁵).This and shatter v. (which appears much later) are commonly regarded as respectively northern and southern representatives of an Old English sc(e)aterian , which is referred to a supposed Germanic root skat- cognate with Greek σκεδ-αννύναι to scatter. The etymological identity of the two verbs seems, however, doubtful, although they have some affinity of sense. It is true that in Middle English scatter occurs only in northern and midland texts, with one exception (quot. c1330 at sense 3a); and that in this sole southern instance the manuscript spells it with sch , which should normally stand for /ʃ/. But initial /sk/ from Old English sc in a native word would be no less abnormal in northern and midland than in southern English. The alleged cognates in Dutch and Low German are questionable. Two instances are cited of Middle Dutch schaderen , with the senses ‘to squander (money)’, ‘to shed (blood)’; but this does not agree in form. The sense ‘to scatter’ assigned to early modern Dutch schetteren , rests on the authority of Kilian, whose citation of the English word renders his testimony suspicious. The Dutch and Middle Low German schateren to resound, to laugh uproariously (Middle Low German once, to be shattered by an explosion) would seem to be onomatopoeic; at least their sense cannot easily be derived from that assigned to the alleged Germanic root. Compare scat v.² and squatter v. 1. transitive. To dissipate, squander (goods or possessions). Obsolete or archaic. ΘΚΠ the mind > possession > relinquishing > squandering or prodigality > squander [verb (transitive)] forspendc893 scatter1154 dispend1303 waste1340 misspendc1390 miswastec1400 consumec1425 waste1474 profund1527 lasha1535 prodige1538 lavish1542 to play away1562 riot1566 embezzle1578 dilapidate1590 squander1593 confound1598 to make ducks and drakes of or withc1600 prodigalize1611 profuse1611 squander1611 paddle1616 bezzle1617 to run out of ——1622 to piss away1628 prodigal1628 decoct1629 to bangle (away)1632 debauch1632 deboise1632 to fribble away1633 to fool out1635 to run outa1640 to fiddle away1667 slattera1681 dissipate1682 to play off1693 duck-and-drake1700 liquidate1702 sparkle away1703 waster1821 befool1861 to frivol away1866 to play (at) duck and drake with1872 to fling away1873 mislive1887 slather1904 mucker1928 profligate1938 peter1956 spaff2002 the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > disadvantage > uselessness > misuse > [verb (transitive)] > waste spilla1000 scatter1154 aspilla1250 rospa1325 waste1340 spend1390 consumec1425 waste1474 miswenda1500 forsumea1510 to cast away1530 to throw away1561 embezzle1578 squander1593 palter1595 profuse1611 squander1611 ravel1614 sport1622 to fool away1628 to stream out1628 to fribble away1633 sweal1655 frisk1665 to fiddle away1667 wantonize1673 slattera1681 swattle1681 drivel1686 swatter1690 to muddle away1707 squander1717 sot1746 slattern1747 meisle1808 fritter1820 waster1821 slobber1837 to cut to waste1863 fringe1863 potter1883 putter1911 profligate1938 to piddle away1942 haemorrhage1978 spaff2002 1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 1137 He hadde get his tresor ac he to deld it & scatered sotlice. c1380 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. in Sel. Wks. II. 78 For ȝif þes ordres geten nevere so myche good, þei seien þat al is þer ordris, and it were a deedli synne to scatire þes goodis in þe world. c1522 T. More Treat. Memorare Nouissima in Wks. (1557) I. 94 They would..neuer be so mad, gredily to gather together that other men shal merely sone after scatter abrode. 1645 J. Howell Epistolæ Ho-elianæ vi. xvii. 31 I leave the rest of all my goods to my first-born Edward, to be consum'd or scatter'd (for I never hoped better). a1716 R. South Serm. Several Occasions (1744) VIII. 326 And was it not worth the..seeing his substance scattered, his children struck dead, [etc.]. absolute.1879 G. Campbell White & Black in U.S. 243 Mr. J—— says the Germans are the only men who are saving; all the rest scatter. 2. a. To separate and drive in various directions (a body of people or animals, a collection of things); to disperse, dissipate (a quantity of matter); to dispel (clouds, mists). ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (intransitive)] > drive away in all directions scattera1300 the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > command to go away [verb (transitive)] > drive away > drive away in all directions to-driveOE to-dreveOE to-skairc1175 scattera1300 skaila1300 disparplea1325 sheda1325 discatterc1330 to-scattera1382 sparple1382 to-rusha1387 to-sparplea1387 deperpeyla1400 rat1402 sever1412 to-ratc1440 disparklec1449 scarkle1450 sparklea1470 disperse1503 shudderc1540 sparse1549 dissipate?c1550 to wap sindry1563 squander1622 rout1641 to feeze about1689 the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > fine weather > [verb (transitive)] > make clear > dispel (clouds or mist) scatter1596 a1300 E.E. Psalter xvii. 16 [xviii. 14] And he sent his arwes, and skatered þa. c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Matt. xxvi. 31 I shal smyte the sheperde, and the sheep of the floc shulen be scatered. 1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 3 Duck downe theire fleete wyth a tempest, Or ships wyde scatter. 1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 453 Lyk a certane sone, new risen to skail and skattir the Cloudis of al tumulte. 1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III iv. iv. 442 Buckinghams armie is disperst and scattered . View more context for this quotation 1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice i. i. 33 Dangerous rocks, which touching but my gentle vessels side would scatter all her spices on the streame. View more context for this quotation 1657 W. Coles Adam in Eden xxiii. 49 The Leaves of wild Clary..put into Pottage..scatter congealed blood. 1788 R. Burns Poems & Songs (1968) I. 426 Some spumy, fiery, ignisfatuus matter, Such as the slightest breath of air might scatter. 1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. iii. 30 A breeze..keen and hostile, scattering the snow. 1871 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest IV. xviii. 117 The terrible name of Odo scattered them in all directions. 1879 M. E. Braddon Cloven Foot xxviii ‘What has become of all the photographs?’.. ‘Given to Tom, Dick and Harry—scattered to the four winds. I have not kept one of them.’ absolute.1594 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. II. 283 It is the nature of this enemy of mankind [sc. the Devil] to scatter, to disioyne and separat.figurative.1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage 45 So doth God scatter the counsells of his enemies. [Cf. Vulg. Ps. xxxii[i]. 10 Dominus dissipet consilia gentium.]a1822 P. B. Shelley tr. P. Calderon Scenes from Magico Prodigioso in Posthumous Poems (1824) 390 So that Heaven May scatter thy delusions.1869 W. E. H. Lecky Hist. European Morals I. iii. 430 No one did more to scatter the ancient superstitions than did Cicero. b. intransitive for reflexive. To separate and disperse; to go dispersedly or stragglingly. †Also of a hawk: To go to a distance. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter or be dispersed [verb (intransitive)] scatterc1430 shedc1485 sprattlea1500 spirtle1725 squander1823 the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)] > go away in all directions > be driven in all directions to-flyc1000 to-drevea1225 sparplec1330 to-shedc1330 skaila1400 disparplec1400 scatterc1430 sparklec1440 shedc1485 disrout1525 disparkle1553 shattera1620 disperse1665 squander1823 the world > animals > birds > order Falconiformes (falcons, etc.) > family Accipitridae (hawks, etc.) > [verb (intransitive)] > actions of hawk, etc. mutea1475 mutessa1475 to put overa1475 feat1508 to check at the fista1529 feakc1575 souse1589 to clip it1616 embowel1618 unenterpen1647 gather1674 enterpen1736 scatter1771 c1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 158 And kepe we vs to-gedre trew That we skater not a-sondre. 1486 Bk. St. Albans b iij b When thay [a Couy of partrichys] be putt upp, and begynne to scatre, ye most haue markeris to marke some of thaym. ?c1600 (c1515) Sc. Field (Lyme) 353 in I. F. Baird Poems Stanley Family (D.Phil. thesis, Univ. of Birm.) (1990) 245 When the Scottes and the ketericks seen our men sketer, They..came downwarde. 1610 J. Guillim Display of Heraldrie ii. iv. 47 The Fillet is shaped long and narrow for the more commodious vse of women in..restraining of their haire from scattering about theire browes. a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) iii. ii. 126 The Commons like an angry Hiue of Bees That want their Leader, scatter vp and downe. View more context for this quotation 1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §138 Sound diffuseth it selfe in round..; But if the Sound, which would scatter in Open Aire, be made to goe all into a Canale; It must needs giue greater force to the Sound. 1771 Encycl. Brit. II. 541/2 She [the falcon] must also have two good bells, that she may be found when she scattereth. 1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc vi. 309 Aright, aleft, The affrighted foemen scatter from his spear. 1796 W. Withering Arrangem. Brit. Plants (ed. 3) II. 74 The stems generally decline and scatter from each other, instead of being upright and close together. 1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna vi. xix. 137 When on my foes a sudden terror came, And they fled, scattering. 1909 Blackwood's Mag. Aug. 230/2 The fugitives scattered for miles, bearing appalling tales of massacre. c. reflexive. Now rare or Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (reflexive)] scatter1535 shed1589 dispersea1616 the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (reflexive)] > go away in all directions shedc1400 scatter1535 sever1591 1535 Bible (Coverdale) 1 Chron. xv. B The Philistynes came, and scatered them selues beneth in y^e valley of Rephaim [thē (them) in text]. 1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 128/2 They be enimies to the Churche, and scatter themselues farre from vs. 1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes iv. ii. 175 in Wks. II Shu. He'll let you ha' your liberty— Alm. Goe forth, Whither you please, and to what company— Mad. Scatter your selfe amongst vs. †d. transitive. To separate, drive apart (one or more individuals from the main body). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > separate [verb (transitive)] > separate from main body skillc1175 to tell outc1325 shillc1440 sequestrate1513 sorta1535 shoal1571 segregate1579 dismember1580 single1582 scatter1588 disgregate1593 recond1608 sepone1619 sequester1625 canton1653 to cantonize outa1670 portion1777 to set off1795 to comb out1854 distinguish1866 split1924 hive off1931 section1960 separate1962 1588 Earl of Leicester in State Papers Defeat Spanish Armada (1894) II. 35 Two of the greatest carracks that the King of Spain had in his fleet, being scattered from the rest. a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Derb. 234 Their ships with the violence of the Wind were much shattered, and the Bonaventure, scattered from the other two ships. †e. figurative. To dissipate, distract (the mind, etc.). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > inattention > mental wandering > lack of concentration, distraction > distract [verb (transitive)] fortogglea1300 to call away1529 scatter1530 forhale1579 to draw away1586 diffuse?1587 to call off1606 divert1609 to put out1616 avoke1623 disjoint1628 to take a person out of himself (herself, etc.)1631 to draw off1646 divertise1648 to take off1670 dissipate1684 to turn off1741 to throw out1821 to turn away1848 1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) ii. 122 A warnynge to take hede, that yf the mynde were eny thynge scatered before, then to gather yt ageyne to gyther. 1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes iv. ii. 131 in Wks. II Look, look, how all their eyes Dance i' their heads (obserue) scatter'd with lust! 1715 tr. Thomas à Kempis Christian's Exercise iii. xv. 138 If thou art hereby scattered in thy Mind. 3. a. transitive. To throw about in disorder in various places. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > absence of arrangement > disarrange [verb (transitive)] > throw about in disorder scatterc1330 rummage1591 the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)] > scatter (things) about in disorder scatterc1330 sparplea1350 tedc1560 straggle1589 squatter1611 disparple1613 flurr1661 litter1734 c1330 Arth. & Merl. (Kölbing) 553 Ac þo þai come þider eft, Her werk was al vp aleft & yschatred here & þere. c1386 G. Chaucer Canon's Yeoman's Prol. & Tale 361 The pot to~breketh..And somme [of the metals] are scatered al the floor aboute. 1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xx. 142 The fragments of rock scattered about were..polar. †b. To throw down (a thing) negligently; to drop. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > causing to come or go down > cause to come or go down [verb (transitive)] > throw down > negligently or untidily scattera1640 dab1772 a1640 Wizard (MS.) It is directed to you; some love-letter, on my life, that Luce hath scattered. 4. a. To distribute to various positions; to place here and there at irregular intervals. Chiefly in past participle. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)] > scatter here and there at intervals disparplea1325 scatterc1380 sprinkle?1518 sparse1608 resperse1649 c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 445 Mykel more if newe religious be skaterud in Cristendome. 1549 E. Allen tr. L. Juda Paraphr. Reuelacion S. John f. 8, in M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II These are y^e messengers of Antichrist, scattrid thoroweout the whole worlde. 1712 J. Swift Proposal for Eng. Tongue 11 William the Conqueror proceeded much further; bringing over with him vast numbers of that Nation; scattering them in every Monastery. 1837 J. G. Lockhart Mem. Life Scott I. x. 326 Many tributes to his memory are scattered over his friend's other works. 1857 J. Ruskin Polit. Econ. Art ii. 130 So long as works of art are scattered through the nation, no universal destruction of them is possible. 1882 P. G. Tait in Encycl. Brit. XIV. 583/1 If stars be scattered through infinite space, with average closeness. †b. intransitive in present participle used with a verb of rest (= ‘scattered’). Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter or be dispersed [verb (intransitive)] > be scattered at intervals scatter1555 1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions Pref. 6 From Adam to the floud..when men liued skateryng on the earthe. 1716 B. Church Entertaining Passages Philip's War ii. 107 He answered, there were several Families, but they liv'd scattering. 1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture I. 66/2 Laying all the..earth into the furrow again inward, so that none might lie scattering outward. c. transitive. Baseball. Of a pitcher: to yield (hits) only at intervals and so restrict scoring. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > baseball > play baseball [verb (transitive)] > actions of pitcher pitch1848 curve1877 to put over1891 scatter1892 save1899 to put across1903 walk1905 fan1909 plunk1909 southpaw1911 whiff1914 sidearm1921 sidearm1922 outpitch1928 blow1938 hang1967 wild pitch1970 1892 Chicago Herald 25 May 6/1 Young kept the hits well scattered. 1954 Post-Herald (Birmingham, Alabama) 7 June 7/2 Winning pitcher was Dave Benedict, who relieved in the first inning and scattered four hits the rest of the way. 1976 Billings (Montana) Gaz. 27 June 2- f/4 Joaquin Andujar scattered 10 hits Saturday to pace the Houston Astros to a 3–0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. 5. a. To throw or send forth so that the particles are distributed or spread about; to sow or throw (seed, money, etc.) broadcast; to sprinkle, strew; to diffuse (fragrance). ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)] to-shedc888 skairc1175 skaila1400 disparklec1449 scatter?c1450 spartlec1475 sprattlea1500 distribute?c1510 disperge1530 shudderc1540 crumble1547 pour1574 sperse1580 disject1581 spatter1582 distract1589 sparflec1600 esparse1625 fan1639 disperse1654 sparge1786 the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)] > scatter broadcast shedc1000 sprengeOE discatterc1330 shatterc1330 sowa1387 spilla1400 shadec1425 sparklec1440 scatter?c1450 distribute?c1510 sparse?1550 to cast seed1577 bescatter1859 to sow, scatter, throw, etc. broadcast1874 ?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 4682 Molle on þair heueds þai scaterd. 1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 699/1 I scatter small thynges abrode, as peasyn, or beanes. 1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms cxlvii. 16 He..scatereth y^e horefrost like ashes. a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) ii. vii. 22 As it [sc. the Nile] ebbes, the Seedsman Vpon the slime and Ooze scatters his graine. View more context for this quotation 1644 R. Symonds Diary (1859) 54 Some of our men by the King's command scattered some papers, that if any would come in..they should be pardoned. 1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 107 The Governor..bestows his Largess..liberally scattering Rupees. a1822 P. B. Shelley Ginevra in Posthumous Poems (1824) 233 The matin winds from the expanded flowers, Scatter their hoarded incense. 1861 J. M. Campbell in Bere Garland of Songs 61 We plough the fields and scatter The good seed on the land. absolute.a1771 T. Gray Ess. I in W. Mason Mem. Life & Writings (1775) 194 Scatter with a free, tho' frugal hand. b. transferred and figurative. Also, †to spread (reports, a prophecy). ΘΚΠ society > communication > information > publishing or spreading abroad > publish or spread abroad [verb (transitive)] sowc888 blowc1275 dispeple1297 to do abroadc1300 fame1303 publyc1350 defamea1382 publisha1382 open?1387 proclaima1393 slandera1400 spreada1400 abroachc1400 throwc1400 to give outa1425 promote?a1425 noisec1425 publicc1430 noisec1440 divulgea1464 to put outc1475 skail1487 to come out witha1500 bruit1525 bruita1529 to bear out1530 divulgate1530 promulgate1530 propale?1530 ventilate1530 provulgate1535 sparple1536 sparse1536 promulge1539 disperse1548 publicate1548 forthtell1549 hurly-burly?1550 propagate1554 to set abroada1555 utter1561 to set forth1567 blaze1570 evulgate1570 scatter1576 rear?1577 to carry about1585 pervulgate1586 celebrate?1596 propalate1598 vent1602 evulge1611 to give forth1611 impublic1628 ventilate1637 disseminate1643 expose1644 emit1650 to put about1664 to send abroad1681 to get abroad1688 to take out1697 advertise1710 forward1713 to set abouta1715 circulate1780 broadcast1829 vent1832 vulgate1851 debit1879 float1883 1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in Panoplie Epist. 118 O ioyfull report, and most acceptable rumour, which was scatered abroade. a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) i. ii. 54 His plausiue words He scatter'd not in eares, but grafted them To grow there and to beare. View more context for this quotation a1662 P. Heylyn Cyprianus Angl. (1671) ii. 251 The Lady Davies..scatters a Prophesie against him. a1771 T. Gray in T. J. Mathias Observ. Writings & Character Mr. Gray (1815) 47 The song-thrush there Scatters his loose notes. 1858 H. W. Longfellow Courtship Miles Standish iv. 74 A hand-grenade, that scatters destruction around it. c. intransitive for reflexive. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter or be dispersed [verb (intransitive)] > be scattered in particles flitter1548 scatter1577 shatter1577 pepper1857 1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 35 When it [sc. Chyche] is rype it must be geathered.., for it scattereth very soone. 1642 Bp. J. Taylor Of Sacred Order Episcopacy (1647) 233 The Bishop should separate the scabbed sheep from the sound, least their infection scatter. 1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 99 The small Shot..scattered among them. 1817 P. B. Shelley Laon & Cythna vi. xlvi. 151 A wood Whose bloom-inwoven leaves now scattering fed The hungry storm. d. Of a gun, a cartridge: To distribute (the shot). Chiefly absol. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > discharge firearms [verb (intransitive)] > of gun: go off or fire fire1542 discharge1565 shoota1575 go1598 to let fly1611 scatter1736 poop1915 society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > action of propelling missile > discharge of firearms > fire (a gun) [verb (transitive)] > of gun: project (shot or missile) convey1634 scatter1881 1736 Compl. Family-piece i. ii. 243 You must also be well acquainted with the Condition of the Gun, whether it be apt to scatter, or carry the Shot round within Compass. 1823 J. F. Cooper Pioneers I. i. 9 The gun scatters well. 1881 W. W. Greener Gun & its Devel. 439 Cartridge loaded to scatter the shot. e. Physics. Of a surface, semi-opaque substance: To throw back (light) brokenly in all directions. More widely, to deflect, diffuse, or reflect (radiation, particles, or the like) in a more or less random fashion. Also absol. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > refraction > refract [verb (transitive)] > scatter disperse1654 scatter1833 the world > matter > physics > science of sound > vibration > scatter component tones [verb (transitive)] scatter1878 the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > particle physics > action of dispersing particles > disperse particles [verb (transitive)] scatter1911 the world > matter > physics > atomic nucleus > radioactivity > alpha radiation > reflect [verb (transitive)] > scatter scatter1911 the world > matter > physics > science of sound > sound-waves > emit, transmit [verb (transitive)] propagate1656 transmit1833 scatter1955 1833 J. F. W. Herschel Astron. §45 (1839) 32 The sun..illuminates the atmosphere and clouds, and these again disperse and scatter a portion of its light in all directions. 1878 Ld. Rayleigh Theory of Sound II. xv. 139 If the primary sound be a compound musical note, the various component tones are scattered in unlike proportions. 1882 P. G. Tait in Encycl. Brit. XIV. 583/2 In order that a surface may be illuminated..it must be capable of scattering light. 1891 Hurter & Driffield in W. B. Ferguson Photogr. Res. F. Hurter & V. C. Driffield (1920) 146 Captain Abney has discovered that negatives ‘scatter’ so much light that our instrument cannot possibly measure all the light which a negative transmits. 1911 London, Edinb. & Dublin Philos. Mag. 6th Ser. 21 675 In these calculations, it is assumed that the α particles scattered through a large angle suffer only one large deflexion. 1938 R. W. Lawson tr. G. von Hevesy & F. A. Paneth Man. Radioactivity (ed. 2) vii. 75 Hydrogen nuclei alone behave differently, for they scatter [neutrons] very much more strongly than would be expected from the magnitude of the cross-section of hydrogen nuclei. 1955 T. F. Hueter & R. H. Bolt Sonics vi. 232 This limits the sound pressure that can be transmitted beyond the point where cavitation first occurs since the bubbles present will scatter and dissipate a part of the sound energy. 1955 C. G. Darwin in W. Pauli Niels Bohr & Devel. Physics 6 There were a few α-particles scattered through such broad angles, even right backwards, that no conceivable compound effect could possibly explain them. 1959 Listener 18 June 1057/1 The distortions introduced by scattering a signal from such a surface might not be too serious. 1971 Sci. Amer. June 61/2 Since the neutron and the proton respond to the electromagnetic force, they scatter electrons aimed at them. f. intransitive. Physics. Of radiation, particles, etc.: to undergo scattering. ΘΚΠ the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > refraction > undergo scattering [verb (intransitive)] scatter1971 the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > particle physics > action of dispersing particles > undergo scattering [verb (intransitive)] scatter1971 the world > matter > physics > atomic physics > particle physics > particle participating in strong interaction > baryon > undergo scattering [verb (intransitive)] scatter1971 1971 Nature 16 July 167/2 The double reflexion mechanism gives way to multiple reflexions, that is, a ray is trapped in surface cavities before scattering out, randomizing the polarization. 1975 Nature 25 Sept. 275/1 The majority of the energy is carried by phonons which inelastically scatter at the interface. 1980 Sci. Amer. July 57/1 Inside it an entering gamma-ray photon typically scatters off several electrons in succession. 6. transitive. To sprinkle or strew with something. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being scattered or dispersed > scatter [verb (transitive)] > scatter (a surface) with something sticka1350 setc1386 ficche1413 sprinkle?1518 scatter1590 sow1611 spatter1647 shower1798 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. x. sig. K2 A narrow way, Scattred with bushy thornes, and ragged breares. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost xi. 653 Now scatterd lies With Carcasses and Arms th' ensanguind Field Deserted. View more context for this quotation 1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 113 The Ground was scattered with Elephants Teeth. 1902 E. Phillpotts River i Where the desert spread, all scattered with great stones. Compounds C1. scatteraway n. rare dispersion. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > causing to go away > [noun] > driving away > driving away in all directions sparpling1434 dispersionc1450 skailing?c1450 sparklingc1460 disparplinga1513 dissipation1545 dispersing1604 segregationa1616 scatteration1776 disjectiona1806 dispersal1821 scatteraway1851 spreadeagling1869 1851 F. Palgrave Hist. Normandy & Eng. I. 325 So complete was the scatteraway, that one of the brethren never stopped till he reached Saint-Gâll. scatter bomb n. a bomb that scatters its material over a wide area; also figurative. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > explosive device > [noun] > bomb > fragmentation fragmentation bomb1918 grass cutter1925 parafrag bomb1944 scatter bomb1961 lazy dog1965 cluster bomb1967 pellet bomb1967 mother-bomb1971 nail bomb1971 1961 Webster's 3rd New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Scatter bomb. 1973 J. Quick Dict. Weapons 386/1 Fragmentation bombs or fragmentation clusters, as well as certain incendiary bombs equipped with bursters, are scatter bombs. 1977 Rolling Stone 16 June 43/2 Okay, Scorsese is a violent scatter-bomb. 1977 Daily Tel. 3 Aug. 5/5 West Germany's new scatter bomb..comprises more than 1,000 mini-bombs which can be fired in different patterns by rockets triggered from the cockpit. scatter bombing n. bombing carried out haphazardly over an area. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > hostilities in the air > [noun] > air operation > bombing raid > dropping of bombs > manner of area bombardment1918 straddling1919 pattern-bombing1933 terror-bombing1933 dive-bombing1935 firebombing1935 blind-bombing1940 blitzing1940 coventrating1940 nuisance bombing1940 scatter bombing1940 coventration1942 carpet bombing1943 obliteration bombing1943 skip-bombing1943 shuttle bombing1944 atom bombing1945 atomic bombing1945 clobbering1948 loft-bombing1956 1940 Aeroplane 13 Sept. 314/1 The scatter-bombing..must at times have sorely tried pilots who had seen the effects of it. scatter-charge n. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > missile > ammunition for firearms > [noun] > charge > scatter charge scatter-charge1881 spread charge1892 scatter load1901 1881 W. W. Greener Gun & its Devel. 439 The scatter-charge has good penetration at 30 and 40 yards. scatter load n. a charge for a gun, made to distribute the shot when fired. ΘΚΠ society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > missile > ammunition for firearms > [noun] > charge > scatter charge scatter-charge1881 spread charge1892 scatter load1901 1901 W. W. Greener Gun (ed. 8) Index Scatter loads. scattershot n. originally and chiefly North American the shot contained in a scatter-charge; also used figuratively (chiefly attributively) to designate something of a random, haphazard, or indiscriminate character (cf. scattergun n. 2). ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > misjudgement > indiscriminateness > [adjective] blinda1400 unchoosinga1586 undiscerning1589 unrespective1609 irrespecting1625 promiscuous1633 incurious1645 indistinct1650 irrespective1650 uncritical1659 indiscerning1664 undistinguishing1665 undistinguishable1702 unrefining1735 indiscriminating1754 undiscriminating1776 indiscriminate1792 unfastidious1816 rough1819 lumping1827 indistinguishing1828 unparticularizing1828 farraginous1837 imperceiverant1844 scattergun1845 undistinctive1851 indiscriminative1854 unselecting1895 scattershot1961 the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > misjudgement > indiscriminateness > [noun] > one who or that which is indiscriminate confounder1739 lumper1857 impurist1937 scattershot1961 society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > missile > ammunition for firearms > [noun] > bullet or shot collectively > shot > small pellet1372 die?c1390 hail-shot1485 die-shot1581 dice-shot1588 birdshot1626 key-shot1648 mould shot1675 cartridge-shot1690 small shot1727 drop1753 shot-cornc1792 dust-shot1800 sparrow-hail1859 steel1898 scattershot1961 1961 Webster's 3rd New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. Scattershot. 1965 Economist 19 June 1393/2 The President's..scatter-shot efforts to reduce the government's spending. 1967 Boston Globe 5 Apr. 51/2 Jack Nicklaus is more concerned over his scattershot driver than the threat of mumps. 1972 Publishers Weekly 10 July 42/2 Shirley Green brings more scattershot curiosity than serious learning to her ‘history’. 1974 State (Columbia, S. Carolina) 27 Feb. 18- a/6 When demagogic politicians ride the land firing scatter shot, nobody..is safe unless he shares their prejudices. 1978 R. Stevens Law & Politics 505 The future of the judicial role in England..may lie far more with subtle use of judicial restraint than with scattershot judicial activism. scatter-site adj. U.S. = scattered-site n. at scattered adj. 2b. ΘΚΠ society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > district in relation to human occupation > town as opposed to country > [adjective] > types of planning or development mononucleated1930 strip-built1936 polynucleated1938 greenfield1940 scattered-site1956 inclusionary1971 scatter-site1972 1972 N.Y. Times 3 Nov. 16/2 The scatter-site housing dispute in Forest Hills. 1977 New Yorker 27 June 85/2 Jimmy Carter's mention of his belief in ethnic purity..in response to a News reporter's question about scattter-site housing. † scatter-story n. Obsolete one who ‘spreads’ a report or story. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun] > chatting or chat > one who chats or gossips > one who spreads rumours ear-rounder?1387 tidings-makerc1440 runkera1500 rumourera1616 scatter-storya1670 gazette1703 quidnunc1709 anecdote-monger1761 what-now1890 yenta1923 a1670 J. Hacket Cent. Serm. (1675) 734 Ælian, and some other such scatter-stories as himself, do make more reports of..unreasonable creatures, than of reasonable men. scatter-tuft n. the genus Sporochnus, one of the algals ( Encycl. Dict., 1887). † scatter-wise adv. Obsolete in straggling order. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > absence of arrangement > [adverb] > with irregular arrangement at, to (the) straggle1488 stragglingly1579 extravagantly1623 disordinately1830 scatter-wise1875 dislocatedly1883 sprawlingly1921 1875 G. W. Dasent Vikings III. xviii. 278 They sail very scatter-wise in coming back, if, indeed, these few ships be part of the host. C2. attributive passing into adj. Designating one of a number (intended to be) scattered decoratively here and there, as scatter cushion, scatter pin, scatter rug, etc. Originally U.S. ΚΠ 1933 ‘E. Queen’ Siamese Twin Myst. i. ii. 30 A living~room..dotted with armchairs and small scatter-rugs. 1946 Negro Digest Aug. 51/1 Its large living room has a vaulted ceiling and arched beams, and the floor is covered with deer skins and scatter rugs. 1957 J. D. Salinger in New Yorker 4 May 123/1 Three domestic Oriental scatter rugs, extremely worn, were on the floor. 1960 Woman 5 Mar. 19/1 Scatter cushions have become a favourite furnishing accessory. 1960 I. Wallach Absence of Cello 13 She stopped first at the jewelry counter where she sneered at some scatter pins. 1966 T. Pynchon Crying of Lot 49 ii. 36 Bracelets then, scatterpins, earrings, a pendant. 1974 J. Irving 158-Pound Marriage 104 The bed..had pitched the mattress and us across the scatter rug. 1976 L. Deighton Twinkle, twinkle, Little Spy xviii. 185 There [were]..scatter-cushions on the floor. 1980 P. Harcourt Tomorrow's Treason i. i. 31 The floor was..wood with a couple of bright scatter mats. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1910; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.1642v.1154
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