Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SPREAD, or SPRED, v.t. [pret. and pp. spread or spred. Sax. sprædan, spredan; Dan. spreder; Sw. sprida; D. spreiden; G. spreiten. This is probably formed on the root of broad, G. breit; breiten, to spread. The more correct orthography is spred.]

1. To extend in length and breadth, or in breadth only; to stretch or expand to a broader surface; as, to spread a carpet or a table cloth; to spread a sheet on the ground.
2. To extend; to form into a plate; as, to spread silver. – Jer. x.
3. To set; to place; to pitch; as, to spread a tent. – Gen. xxxiii.
4. To cover by extending something; to reach every part. And an unusual paleness spreads her face. – Granville.
5. To extend; to shoot to a greater length in every direction, so as to fill or cover a wider space. The stately trees fast spread their branches. – Milton.
6. To divulge; to propagate; to publish; as news or fame; to cause to be more extensively known; as, to spread a report. In this use, the word is often accompanied with abroad. They, when they had departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country. – Matth. ix.
7. To propagate; to cause to affect greater numbers; as, to spread a disease.
8. To emit; to diffuse; as, emanations or effluvia; as, odoriferous plants spread their fragrance.
9. To disperse; to scatter over a larger surface; as, to spread manure; to spread plaster or lime on the ground.
10. To prepare; to set and furnish with provisions; as, to spread a table. God spread a table for the Israelites in the wilderness.
11. To open; to unfold; to unfurl; to stretch; as, to spread the sails of a ship.