spreadable


spread

S0669300 (sprĕd)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.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.Idiom: 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 Indo-European roots.]
spread′a·bil′i·ty n.spread′a·ble adj.spread′a·bly adv.
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