scattering


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scat·ter·ing

 (skăt′ər-ĭng)
n.
1. Something scattered, especially a small, irregularly occurring amount or quantity: a scattering of applause.
2. Physics The dispersal of a beam of particles or of radiation into a range of directions as a result of physical interactions.
adj.
Placed irregularly and far apart; scattered.

scat′ter·ing·ly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

scattering

(ˈskætərɪŋ)
n
1. a small amount
2. (General Physics) physics the process in which particles, atoms, etc, are deflected as a result of collision
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

scat•ter•ing

(ˈskæt ər ɪŋ)

adj.
1. distributed or dispersing at irregular intervals.
2. (of votes) cast in small numbers for various candidates.
n.
3. a small, scattered number or quantity.
4. Physics. the process in which a wave or beam of particles is diffused or deflected by collision with particles of the medium that it traverses.
[1300–50]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

scat·ter·ing

(skăt′ər-ĭng)
The spreading of a stream of particles or a beam of rays, as of light, over a range of directions as a result of collisions with other particles. Scattering is responsible for the color of the sky. On a clear day, the sky is blue, because blue light from the sun is scattered by the atmosphere's particles to a greater degree than other colors of light. At sunset and sunrise, the sky appears red and yellow, because the light from the sun has passed a longer distance through air and some of the blue light has been scattered away, leaving yellow and red light which are less easily scattered.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Scattering

 a sparse amount or number. See also scantling.
Examples: scattering of affections, 1662; of good and evil, 1662; of learning; of nations, 1545; of pearls, 1908; of rays, 1866; of thoughts.
Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.scattering - a small number (of something) dispersed haphazardly; "the first scatterings of green"; "a sprinkling of grey at his temples"
small indefinite amount, small indefinite quantity - an indefinite quantity that is below average size or magnitude
2.scattering - the physical process in which particles are deflected haphazardly as a result of collisions
extinction - the reduction of the intensity of radiation as a consequence of absorption and radiation
natural action, natural process, action, activity - a process existing in or produced by nature (rather than by the intent of human beings); "the action of natural forces"; "volcanic activity"
3.scattering - a light shower that falls in some locations and not others nearbyscattering - a light shower that falls in some locations and not others nearby
rain shower, shower - a brief period of precipitation; "the game was interrupted by a brief shower"
4.scattering - spreading widely or driving off
Diaspora - the dispersion of the Jews outside Israel; from the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 587-86 BC when they were exiled to Babylonia up to the present time
dissipation - breaking up and scattering by dispersion; "the dissipation of the mist"
spread, spreading - process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
5.scattering - the act of scatteringscattering - the act of scattering    
spreading, spread - act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

scattering

noun sprinkling, few, handful, scatter, smattering, smatter the scattering of houses on the east of the village
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations
كمِّيَّةٌ مُتناثِرَه
hrstka
slæîingur, reitingur
roztrúsenie

scattering

[ˈskætərɪŋ] N a scattering of booksunos cuantos libros aquí y allá
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

scattering

n (of people)vereinzeltes Häufchen; (Phys, of light, waves) → Streuung f; a scattering of books/housesvereinzelte Bücher pl/Häuser pl; a thin scattering of snow on the hillsidedünner Schneefall auf dem Hügel
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

scatter

(ˈskӕtə) verb
1. to (make) go or rush in different directions. The sudden noise scattered the birds; The crowds scattered when the bomb exploded.
2. to throw loosely in different directions. The load from the overturned lorry was scattered over the road.
ˈscattered adjective
occasional; not close together. Scattered showers are forecast for this morning; The few houses in the valley are very scattered.
ˈscattering noun
a small amount scattered here and there. a scattering of sugar.
ˈscatterbrain noun
a forgetful or unreliable person.
ˈscatterbrained adjective
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
References in classic literature ?
"Why, they're made in a good many small pieces," explained the kangaroo; "and whenever any stranger comes near them they have a habit of falling apart and scattering themselves around.
Were I not a really good puzzle, there would be no object in my scattering myself."
For instance, to scatter seed is called sowing: but the action of the sun in scattering his rays is nameless.
The children got to know his figure, and the sparrows expected their daily scattering of bread- crumbs.
But we're late--we must begin!" and scattering the rest of the water indiscriminately over the floor, she hurried Mary into the committee-room.
It's like scattering grain to the ducks, the way they pick it up!" he added, pointing to the growing haycocks.
However, as certain men have fertile, false, and useful vices, Fouquet, in scattering broadcast millions of money in the construction of this palace, had found a means of gathering, as the result of his generous profusion, three illustrious men together: Levau, the architect of the building; Lenotre, the designer of the gardens; and Lebrun, the decorator of the apartments.
More in whim than in hope of result, grinning to himself as he did so, Sheldon raised his automatic pistol and in two seconds sent eight shots scattering through the trees in the direction in which Tudor had disappeared.
In front lay a scattering of bright metallic fragments.
Scattering waste reflects negatively on civilized behavior
The principal ingredients are the differential X-ray scattering cross sections of the elements and the Nyquist sampling theorem.
Christmas may be over, but tis still the season for staying in and staying comfy - and what better way to cosy up your home than with a liberal scattering of cushions?