[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

spread \spread\ spre^d, v. t. imp.  p. p. spread; p. pr.
    vb. n. spreading. oe. spreden, as. spraedan; akin to d.
   spreiden, spreijen, lg. spreden, spreen, spreien, g.
   spreiten, dan. sprede, sw. sprida. cf. spray water flying
   in drops.
   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.
      1913 webster

            he bought a parcel of a field where he had spread
            his tent.                             --gen. xxxiii.
                                                  19.
      1913 webster

            here the rhone
            hath spread himself a couch.          --byron.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

            rose, as in a dance, the stately trees, and spread
            their branches hung with copious fruit. --milton.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

            they, when they were departed, spread abroad his
            fame in all that country.             --matt. ix.
                                                  31.
      1913 webster

   4. to propagate; to cause to affect great numbers; as, to
      spread a disease.
      1913 webster

   5. to diffuse, as emanations or effluvia; to emit; as,
      odoriferous plants spread their fragrance.
      1913 webster

   6. to strew; to scatter over a surface; as, to spread manure;
      to spread lime on the ground.
      1913 webster

   7. to prepare; to set and furnish with provisions; as, to
      spread a table.
      1913 webster

            boiled the flesh, and spread the board. --tennyson.
      1913 webster

   to spread cloth, to unfurl sail. obs. --evelyn.
      1913 webster

   syn: to diffuse; propagate; disperse; publish; distribute;
        scatter; circulate; disseminate; dispense.
        1913 webster
see also:
spread spreading spray to spread cloth 

Cloth >> C Words
Cloth, definition of term: Cloth
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Drop Cloth >> D Words
Drop Cloth, definition of term: Drop Cloth
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