Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Disperse \Dis*perse"\, v. i.
   1. To separate; to go or move into different parts; to
      vanish; as, the company dispersed at ten o'clock; the
      clouds disperse.

   2. To distribute wealth; to share one's abundance with
      others.

            He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor. --Ps.
                                                  cxii. 9.

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.

Source : WordNet®

disperse
     v 1: distribute loosely; "He scattered gun powder under the
          wagon" [syn: {scatter}, {sprinkle}, {dot}, {dust}]
     2: to cause to separate and go in different directions; "She
        waved her hand and scattered the crowds" [syn: {dissipate},
         {dispel}, {break up}, {scatter}]
     3: move away from each other; "The crowds dispersed"; "The
        children scattered in all directions when the teacher
        approached"; [syn: {dissipate}, {scatter}, {spread out}]
     4: cause to separate; "break up kidney stones"; "disperse
        particles" [syn: {break up}, {scatter}]
     5: cause to become widely known; "spread information";
        "circulate a rumor"; "broadcast the news" [syn: {circulate},
         {circularize}, {circularise}, {distribute}, {disseminate},
         {propagate}, {broadcast}, {spread}, {diffuse}, {pass
        around}]