scatter

Meaning

Verb

1. To (cause to) separate and go in different directions; to disperse.
2. To distribute loosely as by sprinkling.
3. To deflect (radiation or particles).
4. To occur or fall at widely spaced intervals.
5. To frustrate, disappoint, and overthrow.
6. To be dispersed upon.
7. Of a pitcher: to keep down the number of hits or walks.

Noun

1. The act of scattering or dispersing.
2. A collection of dispersed objects.

Hyphenated as

scat‧ter

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈskætə/

Etymology

From Middle English scateren, skateren, (also schateren, see shatter), from Old English *sceaterian, probably from a dialect of Old Norse. Possibly related to Proto-Indo-European *skey- (“to cut, split, shatter”). Compare Middle Dutch scheteren (“to scatter”), Low German schateren, Dutch schateren (“to burst out laughing”); and is apparently remotely akin to Ancient Greek σκεδάννυμι (skedánnumi, “scatter, disperse”). and Tocharian B kät- (“to scatter, sow seeds”). Doublet of shatter.