spread

spread, circulate, diffuse, disseminate, expand, extend, propagate, radiate

这组词都有“延伸”“延长”“伸展”“展开”的意思。它们的区别是：

1.spread指向四面八方扩大范围。

2.circulate指无拘无束地或不间断地传播、散布到各处。例如:

She opened a window to allow the air to circulate.她打开窗户使空气流通。

3.disseminate指到处传播思想、理论等。例如:

They use the press to disseminate right wing views.他们利用报刊来传播右翼观点。

4.diffuse指光线、声音、气味等在空中传送或散布。例如:

Light diffused from the window.光从窗户射进来。

5.extend指延展物体的长度、宽度,延伸或扩大某一事物,以及延长时间、期限等,也指伸开四肢或躯体。例如:

They extended the road for three more miles.他们把那条路又延长了三英里多。

The headmaster extended our holidays by a week.校长把我们的假期延长了一个星期。

6.expand指扩大面积或体积,也指把合拢的东西放开(即三维)。例如:

This county has expanded its area under cultivation by more than 50,000 mu .该县扩大了50,000亩耕地。

Heat expands metals.热使金属膨胀。

He does exercises to expand his chest.他做体操扩胸。

7.propagate通常指宣传某种信念、看法或传播某种言论,以使更多的人相信或参与。例如:

We should not only learn knowledge, but also propagate it.我们不仅应学习知识,而且应传播它。

The Greek civilization was propagated all over Europe.希腊文明传播至整个欧洲。

8.radiate指从中心向四面八方散发,是技术用语,特指光或热的辐射。例如:

The sun radiates light and heat.太阳放射光和热。

The electric heater radiated warmth.电暖器散发出热量。

spread, scatter

这两个词都有“散布”“撒开”的意思。它们的区别是：

1.spread强调有目的地均匀涂抹、撒开。其宾语可以是具体名词,也可以是抽象名词。

2.scatter强调随意性和无规律性,其宾语则只能是具体名词。例如:

The police scattered the disorderly crowd.警察驱散了骚乱的人群。

The thundershower had temporarily scattered the swimmers.雷阵雨暂时驱散了游泳的人。

下列各组中的句意相同：

We spread the butter on the bread at din- ner.

We spread the butter over the bread at dinner.

We spread the bread with butter at dinner.

吃饭时我们把黄油涂在面包上。

Spread some newspapers on the floor to catch the dust.

Spread some newspapers over the floor to catch the dust.

Spread the floor with some newspapers to catch the dust.

在地板上铺些报纸来挡尘土。