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Dispersed vs Sparse - What's the difference?

dispersed | sparse |

As verbs the difference between dispersed and sparse

is that dispersed is (disperse) while sparse is (obsolete) to scatter; to disperse.

As an adjective sparse is

having widely spaced intervals.

dispersed

English

Verb

(head)
  • (disperse)

    • 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

    * * ----

    sparse

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Having widely spaced intervals.
  • Not dense; meager.

    • Related terms

    * thin out

    Derived terms

    * sparse array * sparse index * sparse matrix

    Verb

    (spars)
  • (obsolete) To scatter; to disperse.
    • (Spenser)

    Anagrams

    * * * * * * * ----