dispergere

Dispergere is a Latin verb meaning to scatter, disperse, or spread widely. It can denote literal dispersion of physical objects (seeds, troops, materials) as well as figurative dissemination of information, rumors, or influence. The verb is transitive and takes a direct object in the accusative; it often implies spreading out in space or among several recipients.

Etymology and form: the word is built from the prefix dis- (apart, in various directions) and spargere (to scatter or strew). It is a verb of the third conjugation. The canonical principal parts are dispergo, dispergere, dispersi, dispersum. The stems yield forms such as dispergo, dispergis, dispergit, dispergimus, dispergitis, dispergunt in the present indicative, and dispersi, dispersisti, dispersit in the perfect.

Conjugation overview: as a third-conjugation verb, its endings follow the typical pattern with the present active: dispergo, dispergis, dispergit, dispergimus, dispergitis, dispergunt. Imperfect: dispergebam, dispergebas, dispergebat, dispergebamus, dispergebatis, dispergebant. Perfect: dispersi, dispersisti, dispersit, dispersimus, dispersistis, disperserunt. Future: dispergam, disperges, disperget, dispergemus, dispergetis, dispergent. The passive forms and participles derive from the same stems (e.g., dispersus, dispersa, dispersum; dispergor, dispergeris, dispergetur).

Usage and scope: dispersed usage ranges from concrete settings (scattering seeds or troops) to abstract contexts (disseminating ideas, information, or influence). In classical and post-classical Latin, dispergere appears in a variety of genres, often with nuance tied to degree and direction of spread. Related terms include spargere (to scatter) and dispersus (scattered).

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