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Disperse vs Dispersive - What's the difference?

disperse | dispersive |

As a verb disperse

is to scatter in different directions.

As an adjective dispersive is

that becomes dispersed.

disperse

English

Verb

  • (intransitive) To scatter in different directions
    • The Jews are dispersed among all nations.
  • * Bible, Proverbs xv. 7
    • The lips of the wise disperse knowledge.
  • * Cowper
    • Two lions, in the still, dark night, / A herd of beeves disperse .
  • (intransitive) To break up and disappear; to dissipate
  • (intransitive) To disseminate
  • (physics, transitive, intransitive) To separate rays of light etc. according to wavelength; to refract
  • (intransitive) To distribute throughout

    • Usage notes

    * Do not confuse with the monetary word disburse, despite similarity.

    Related terms

    * dispersal * dispersible * dispersion

    Anagrams

    * * ----

    dispersive

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • That becomes dispersed
  • That causes dispersion

    • Derived terms

    * dispersive line * dispersive mass transfer * dispersive medium * dispersive power ----