Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Disperse \Dis*perse"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dispersed}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Dispersing}.] [L. dispersus, p. p. of dispergere to
   strew, scatter. See {Sparse}.]
   1. To scatter abroad; to drive to different parts; to
      distribute; to diffuse; to spread; as, the Jews are
      dispersed among all nations.

            The lips of the wise disperse knowledge. --Prov. xv.
                                                  7.

            Two lions, in the still, dark night, A herd of
            beeves disperse.                      --Cowper.

   2. To scatter, so as to cause to vanish; to dissipate; as, to
      disperse vapors.

            Dispersed are the glories.            --Shak.

   Syn: To scatter; dissipate; dispel; spread; diffuse;
        distribute; deal out; disseminate.