Spreading

n. expansion; distribution

v. open, extend; apply a layer on; scatter; distribute; stretch out; set a table, arrange dishes and utensils on a table; flatten

Noun
1. process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
(synonym) spread
(hypernym) change of location, travel
(hyponym) diffusion
(derivation) spread, overspread
2. the opening of a subject to widespread discussion and debate
(synonym) dissemination, airing, public exposure
(hypernym) transmission
(hyponym) circulation
(derivation) circulate, circularize, circularise, distribute, disseminate, propagate, broadcast, spread, diffuse, disperse, pass around
3. act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time
(synonym) spread
(hypernym) extension
(hyponym) circulation
(derivation) spread, distribute
Adjective
1. spreading over a wide area; "under the spreading chestnut tree"; "the spreading circle of lamplight"; "wide-spreading branches"
(synonym) wide-spreading
(similar) wide, broad
2. spreading by diffusion
(synonym) diffusing(a), diffusive, dispersive, disseminative, disseminating, scattering
(similar) distributive

Noun
1. process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
(synonym) spreading
(hypernym) change of location, travel
(hyponym) diffusion
(derivation) diffuse, spread out, fan out
2. a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures; "gap between income and outgo"; "the spread between lending and borrowing costs"
(synonym) gap
(hypernym) disparity
3. farm consisting of a large tract of land along with facilities needed to raise livestock (especially cattle)
(synonym) ranch, cattle ranch, cattle farm
(hypernym) farm
4. a haphazard distribution in all directions
(synonym) scatter
(hypernym) distribution, dispersion
(hyponym) diffuseness
(derivation) diffuse, spread out, fan out
5. a tasty mixture to be spread on bread or crackers
(synonym) paste
(hypernym) condiment
(hyponym) margarine, margarin, oleo, oleomargarine, marge
6. a meal that is well prepared and greatly enjoyed; "a banquet for the graduating seniors"; "the Thanksgiving feast"; "they put out quite a spread"
(synonym) banquet, feast
(hypernym) meal, repast
7. two facing pages of a book or other publication
(synonym) spread head, spreadhead, facing pages
(hypernym) page
(hyponym) center spread, centre spread
(part-holonym) publication
8. the expansion of a person's girth (especially at middle age); "she exercised to avoid that middle-aged spread"
(hypernym) girth
9. decorative cover for a bed
(synonym) bedspread, bedcover, bed cover, bed covering, counterpane
(hypernym) bedclothes, bed clothing, bedding
(hyponym) coverlet
10. act of extending over a wider scope or expanse of space or time
(synonym) spreading
(hypernym) extension
(hyponym) circulation
(derivation) diffuse, spread out, fan out
Verb
1. distribute or disperse widely; "The invaders spread their language all over the country"
(synonym) distribute
(antonym) gather, garner, collect, pull together
(hyponym) generalize, generalise
(see-also) diffuse, spread out, fan out
(derivation) spreading
2. become distributed or widespread; "the infection spread"; "Optimism spread among the population"
(synonym) propagate
(hypernym) move
(hyponym) catch
(derivation) spreading
3. spread across or over; "A big oil spot spread across the water"
(synonym) overspread
(hypernym) cover, extend
(hyponym) transgress
(derivation) spreading
4. spread out or open from a closed or folded state; "open the map"; "spread your arms"
(synonym) unfold, spread out, open
(hypernym) undo
(hyponym) divaricate
5. cause to become widely known; "spread information"; "circulate a rumor"; "broadcast the news"
(synonym) circulate, circularize, circularise, distribute, disseminate, propagate, broadcast, diffuse, disperse, pass around
(hypernym) publicize, publicise, air, bare
(hyponym) sow, sough
(cause) go around, circulate
(verb-group) go around, circulate
(derivation) spreading
6. become widely known and passed on; "the rumor spread"; "the story went around in the office"
(synonym) go around, circulate
(hypernym) travel, go, move, locomote
(verb-group) circulate, circularize, circularise, distribute, disseminate, propagate, broadcast, diffuse, disperse, pass around
(derivation) scatter
7. strew or distribute over an area; "He spread fertilizer over the lawn"; "scatter cards across the table"
(synonym) scatter, spread out
(hypernym) circulate, pass around, pass on, distribute
(hyponym) manure, muck
(derivation) spreading
8. move outward; "The soldiers fanned out"
(synonym) diffuse, spread out, fan out
(hypernym) distribute
(hyponym) percolate
(derivation) spreading
9. cover by spreading something over; "spread the bread with cheese"
(hypernym) cover
(hyponym) slather
(derivation) paste
10. distribute over a surface in a layer; "spread cheese on a piece of bread"
(derivation) paste
Adjective
1. distributed or spread over a considerable extent; "has ties with many widely dispersed friends"; "eleven million Jews are spread throughout Europe"
(synonym) dispersed
(similar) distributed
2. prepared or arranged for a meal; especially having food set out; "a table spread with food"
(similar) prepared
3. fully extended in width; "outspread wings"; "with arms spread wide"
(synonym) outspread
(similar) extended

(p. pr. & vb. n.)
of Spread
  

The purchase of one futures contract and the sale of another in an attempt to profit from the change in price differences between the two contracts. Inter-market, intercommodity, inter- delivery, and commodity product are examples of spreads.

hao3 shi4 bu4 chu1 men2, huai4 shi4 zhuan4 qian2 li3
Good deeds don't leave the house, bad acts spread over a thousand miles.
(No further explanation)

yang1 ji2 chi2 yu2
Disaster spreads to the fish in the pond.
An unexpected disaster involving innocents.

wang3 kai1 yi2 mian4
A net spread on one side.
Allowing a way out. To give the wrongdoer a way out. The same as 网开三面 (wang3 kai1 san1 mian4). Compare with 网开四方 (wang3 kai1 si4 fang1).

wang3 kai1 san1 mian4
A net spread on three sides.
Allowing a way out. To purposely leave loopholes for an escape of the law. The same as 网开一面 (wang3 kai1 yi2 mian4). Compare with 网开四方 (wang3 kai1 si4 fang1).

wang3 kai1 si4 fang1
Nets spread in all directions.
Allowing no way out. The trap has been laid. Compare with 网开一面 (wang3 kai1 yi2 mian4) and 网开三面 (wang3 kai1 san1 mian4).