disperse

What does “disperse” mean?

verb.to distribute or spread over a wide area.

SAT Usage

this term often appears in contexts related to science, environmental studies, or social dynamics, emphasizing the idea of scattering or spreading out individuals or substances. It suggests a process of distribution that can lead to changes in behavior or composition, distinguishing it from similar words like "scatter," which may imply a more random or chaotic distribution.

Common Confusions

Disperse implies a systematic distribution across a wide area, while scatter usually suggests a more random or chaotic dispersion of objects or individuals.

Example Sentences

• The Jews are dispersed among all nations.

• The manager had to disperse resources across different departments.

Word Parts: How to Remember “disperse”

Break “disperse” into its parts: di- (apart, away). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: di- apart, away (Latin)