dispersó

Dispersó is the third-person singular form of the Spanish verb dispersar in the preterite tense, used to indicate a completed action in the past. It corresponds to “he dispersed,” “she dispersed,” or “you (usted) dispersed.” It is a transitive verb, typically used with a direct object, as in dispersó a la multitud or dispersó rumores.

Etymology and related forms: dispersar comes from Latin dispersare, formed by the prefix dis- meaning apart and spargere “to scatter.” Related words include dispersión (dispersion) and disperso (scattered, dispersed). The verb is regular in the preterite, following the standard -ar conjugation pattern: dispersé, dispersaste, dispersó, dispersamos, dispersasteis, dispersaron.

Usage notes: dispersó is used to recount actions completed in the past where something or someone was scattered, spread, or dispersed by the subject. It can refer to physical dispersion (a crowd, a cloud of smoke) or figurative dispersion (dispersing fears, rumors). The form also appears with the pronoun usted to address someone formally: Usted dispersó.

Examples:

- El batallón dispersó a los manifestantes.

- La niebla se dispersó al amanecer.

- A raíz del anuncio, dispersó rumores que circularon por la ciudad.

See also: dispersión, disperso, dispersar.