Scat"ter (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Scattered (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Scattering.] [OE. scateren. See Shatter.]
1. To strew about; to sprinkle around; to throw
down loosely; to deposit or place here and there, esp. in an open or
sparse order.
And some are scattered all the floor
about.
Chaucer.
Why should my muse enlarge on Libyan swains,
Their scattered cottages, and ample plains?
Dryden.
Teach the glad hours to scatter, as they
fly,
Soft quiet, gentle love, and endless joy.
Prior.
2. To cause to separate in different
directions; to reduce from a close or compact to a loose or broken
order; to dissipate; to disperse.
Scatter and disperse the giddy
Goths.
Shak.
3. Hence, to frustrate, disappoint, and
overthrow; as, to scatter hopes, plans, or the like.
Syn. -- To disperse; dissipate; spread; strew.
Scat"ter, v. i. To be dispersed or
dissipated; to disperse or separate; as, clouds scatter after a
storm.