Spread

spred, v.t. to scatter abroad or in all directions: to stretch: to extend: to overlay: to shoot out, as branches: to circulate, as news: to cause to affect numbers, as a disease: to diffuse: to set with provisions, as a table.— v.i. to extend or expand in all directions: to be extended or stretched: to be propagated or circulated:— pa.t. and pa.p. spread.— n. extent: compa : expansion of parts: that which is spread out, a feast: a cover for a bed or a table.— adj. having a broad surface: shallower than the standard.— adj. Spread′-ea′gle , like an eagle with the wings stretched out, bombastic, boastful.— n. ( naut. ) a person seized in the rigging, a pa enger thus made to pay his entrance forfeit.— ns. Spread′-ea′gleism , a bombastic and frothy patriotism; Spread′er , one who, or that which, spreads, one who publishes or extends: any machine or implement for helping to scatter.— p.adj. Spread′ing .— adv. Spread′ingly , increasingly.— Spread a fleet , to keep more open order. [A.S. sprǽdan ; Dut. spreiden , Ger. spreiten .]