scattered
adjective
[ ˈskatəd ]
• occurring or found at intervals or various locations rather than all together.
• "the forecast is for scattered showers"
• (of a person) distracted or disorganized.
• "with so much on her plate, however, she can be a bit scattered"
• (of electromagnetic radiation or particles) deflected or diffused.
• "changes in the angular distribution of scattered light"
scatter
verb
• throw in various random directions.
• "scatter the coconut over the icing"
• (of a group of people or animals) separate and move off quickly in different directions.
• "the roar made the dogs scatter"
Similar:
disperse,
break up,
disband,
separate,
go separate ways,
dissipate,
disintegrate,
dissolve,
drive,
send,
put to flight,
chase,
• deflect or diffuse (electromagnetic radiation or particles).
• "the light is scattered as it strikes particles suspended in the air"
• (of a pitcher) allow (several hits) at intervals so as to result in little or no scoring.
• "Fernandez struck out 14 while scattering three hits over eight scoreless innings"
Origin:
Middle English (as a verb): probably a variant of shatter.
