Spread

Spread, spred, v.t. to scatter abroad or in all directions: to stretch: to extend: to overlay: to shoot out, as branches: to circulate, as news: to cause to affect numbers, as a disease: to diffuse: to set with provisions, as a table.—v.i. to extend or expand in all directions: to be extended or stretched: to be propagated or circulated:—pa.t. and pa.p. spread.—n. extent: compass: expansion of parts: that which is spread out, a feast: a cover for a bed or a table.—adj. having a broad surface: shallower than the standard.—adj. Spread′-ea′gle, like an eagle with the wings stretched out, bombastic, boastful.—n. (naut.) a person seized in the rigging, a passenger thus made to pay his entrance forfeit.—ns. Spread′-ea′gleism, a bombastic and frothy patriotism; Spread′er, one who, or that which, spreads, one who publishes or extends: any machine or implement for helping to scatter.—p.adj. Spread′ing.—adv. Spread′ingly, increasingly.—Spread a fleet, to keep more open order. [A.S. sprǽdan; Dut. spreiden, Ger. spreiten.]