Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Scattering \Scat"ter*ing\, a.
   Going or falling in various directions; not united or
   aggregated; divided among many; as, scattering votes.

Scatter \Scat"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scattered}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Scattering}.] [OE. scateren. See {Shatter}.]
   1. To strew about; to sprinkle around; to throw down loosely;
      to deposit or place here and there, esp. in an open or
      sparse order.

            And some are scattered all the floor about.
                                                  --Chaucer.

            Why should my muse enlarge on Libyan swains, Their
            scattered cottages, and ample plains? --Dryden.

            Teach the glad hours to scatter, as they fly, Soft
            quiet, gentle love, and endless joy.  --Prior.

   2. To cause to separate in different directions; to reduce
      from a close or compact to a loose or broken order; to
      dissipate; to disperse.

            Scatter and disperse the giddy Goths. --Shak.

   3. Hence, to frustrate, disappoint, and overthrow; as, to
      scatter hopes, plans, or the like.

   Syn: To disperse; dissipate; spread; strew.

Scattering \Scat"ter*ing\, n.
   Act of strewing about; something scattered. --South.

Source : WordNet®

scattering
     adj : spreading by diffusion [syn: {diffusing(a)}, {diffusive}, {dispersive},
            {disseminative}, {disseminating}, {spreading}]
     n 1: the physical process in which particles are deflected
          haphazardly as a result of collisions
     2: a small number dispersed haphazardly; "the first scatterings
        of green" [syn: {sprinkling}]
     3: a light shower that falls in some locations and not others
        nearby [syn: {sprinkle}, {sprinkling}]
     4: spreading widely or driving off [syn: {dispersion}]
     5: the act of scattering [syn: {scatter}, {strewing}]