Word Study
intersperse
CIDE DICTIONARY
intersperse, v. t. [L. interspersus interspersed; inter between, among + spargere to scatter. See Sparse.].
- To scatter or set here and there among other things; to insert at intervals; as, to intersperse pictures in a book. [1913 Webster]"There, interspersed in lawns and op'ning glades,
Thin trees arise that shun each other's shades." [1913 Webster] - To diversify or adorn with things set or scattered at intervals; to place something at intervals in or among; as, to intersperse a book with pictures. [1913 Webster]"Which space is interspersed with small islands and rock." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
intersperse, v.tr.
1 (often foll. by between, among) scatter; place here and there.
2 (foll. by with) diversify (a thing or things with others so scattered).
1 (often foll. by between, among) scatter; place here and there.
2 (foll. by with) diversify (a thing or things with others so scattered).
Derivative
interspersion n.
Etymology
L interspergere interspers- (as INTER-, spargere scatter)
ROGET THESAURUS
intersperse
Dispersion
VB disperse, scatter, sow, broadcast, disseminate, diffuse, shed, spread, bestrew, overspread, dispense, disband, disembody, dismember, distribute, apportion, blow off, let out, dispel, cast forth, draught off, strew, straw, strow, ted, spirtle, cast, sprinkle, issue, deal out, retail, utter, resperse, intersperse, set abroach, circumfuse, turn adrift, cast adrift, scatter to the winds, spread like wildfire, disperse themselves.Interposition
VB lie between, come between, get between, intervene, slide in, interpenetrate, permeate, put between, introduce, import, throw in, wedge in, edge in, jam in, worm in, foist in, run in, plow in, work in, interpose, interject, intercalate, interpolate, interline, interleave, intersperse, interweave, interlard, interdigitate, sandwich in, fit in, squeeze in, let in, dovetail, splice, mortise, insinuate, smuggle, infiltrate, ingrain, interfere, put in an oar, thrust one's nose in, intrude, obtrude, have a finger in the pie, introduce the thin end of the wedge, thrust in.For further exploring for "intersperse" in Webster Dictionary Online