Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DIS-PERSE', v.t. [dispers'; L. dispersus, from dispergo; di, dis, and spargo, to scatter; Fr. disperser.]

1. To scatter; to drive asunder; to cause to separate into different parts; as, the Jews are dispersed among all nations.
2. To diffuse; to spread. The lips of the wise disperse knowledge. – Prov. xv. [It should be diffuse.]
3. To dissipate; as, the fog or the cloud is dispersed.
4. To distribute. – Bacon.