DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 Spread v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spread; p. pr. & vb. n. Spreading.]
 1. To extend in length and breadth, or in breadth only; to stretch or expand to a broad or broader surface or extent; to open; to unfurl; as, to spread a carpet; to spread a tent or a sail.
    He bought a parcel of a field where he had spread his tent.   --Gen. xxxiii. 19.
 Here the Rhone
 Hath spread himself a couch.   --Byron.
 2. To extend so as to cover something; to extend to a great or greater extent in every direction; to cause to fill or cover a wide or wider space.
 Rose, as in a dance, the stately trees, and spread
 Their branches hung with copious fruit.   --Milton.
 3. To divulge; to publish, as news or fame; to cause to be more extensively known; to disseminate; to make known fully; as, to spread a report; -- often accompanied by abroad.
    They, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.   --Matt. ix. 31.
 4. To propagate; to cause to affect great numbers; as, to spread a disease.
 5. To diffuse, as emanations or effluvia; to emit; as, odoriferous plants spread their fragrance.
 6. To strew; to scatter over a surface; as, to spread manure; to spread lime on the ground.
 7. To prepare; to set and furnish with provisions; as, to spread a table.
    Boiled the flesh, and spread the board.   --Tennyson.
 To spread cloth, to unfurl sail. [Obs.]
 Syn: -- To diffuse; propagate; disperse; publish; distribute; scatter; circulate; disseminate; dispense.