spreading

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
spread/spred/

▶verb (past and past part. spread)

• 1 open out so as to increase in surface area, width, or length.

  ■ stretch out (limbs, hands, fingers, or wings) so that they are far apart.

• 2 extend or distribute over a wide area or a specified period of time.

  ■ (spread out) (of a group of people) move apart so as to cover a wider area.

  ■ gradually reach or cause to reach a wider area or more people.

• 3 apply (a substance) in an even layer.

  ■ cover (a surface) with a substance in such a way.

  ■ be able to be applied in such a way.

▶noun

• 1 the fact or action of spreading.

• 2 the extent, width, or area covered by something.

  ■ an expanse.

• 3 the range of something.

  ■ the difference between two rates or prices.

• 4 a soft paste that can be spread on bread.

• 5 informal a large and elaborate meal.

• 6 an article or advertisement covering several columns or pages of a newspaper or magazine.

• 7 N. Amer. a large farm or ranch.

– phrases
spread oneself too thin be involved in so many different activities that one's time and energy are not used to good effect.

– derivatives
spreadable adjective.

– origin OE -sprǣdan (used in combinations), of W. Gmc origin.