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Scatter vs Overspread - What's the difference?

scatter | overspread |

In lang=en terms the difference between scatter and overspread

is that scatter is to occur or fall at widely spaced intervals while overspread is to spread over or across (something); to permeate, overrun.

As verbs the difference between scatter and overspread

is that scatter is (ergative) to (cause to) separate and go in different directions; to disperse while overspread is to spread over or across (something); to permeate, overrun.

scatter

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • (ergative) To (cause to) separate and go in different directions; to disperse.
    • the police scattered the crowds
    the crowd scattered
  • * Shakespeare
    • Scatter and disperse the giddy Goths.
  • To distribute loosely as by sprinkling.
    • Her ashes were scattered at the top of a waterfall.
  • * Dryden
    • Why should my muse enlarge on Libyan swains, / Their scattered cottages, and ample plains?
  • (physics) To deflect (radiation or particles).
  • To occur or fall at widely spaced intervals.
  • To frustrate, disappoint, and overthrow.
    • to scatter hopes or plans

    Derived terms

    * scatterbrain * scatterplot * scattershot

    overspread

    English

    Verb

  • To spread over or across (something); to permeate, overrun.
  • * Drayton
    • those nations of the North which overspread the world
  • * 1913 , DH Lawrence, Sons and Lovers , Penguin 2006, p. 289:
    • Deliberately, and with a peculiar quivering smile, that seemed to overspread her whole body, she put her mouth on his.