[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/spread/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [S](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/s/) / spread # spread verb (spread, spreads, spread, spreading); noun (a spread, spreads) «spread» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. To open or stretch out something: "spread your arms". [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spread/#m1) 2. To put a thin layer of something over a surface: "spread butter on toast". [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spread/#m2) 3. To move into more places or reach more people: "The fire spread." "Germs spread." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spread/#m3) 4. To share out over time or space: "spread the work over a week". [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spread/#m4) 5. As a noun, a soft food you put on bread, or a big meal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spread/#m5) ### In the lessons In science and health: germs spread through coughs, sneezes and touch; fire spreads quickly. In everyday life: rumours spread — don't spread unkind stories. In maths, data "spread" means how far apart numbers are. Phrases: spread out, spread the word, spread germs, spread butter. ### Examples - Spread butter on your bread. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spread/#x1) - The fire spread to the trees. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spread/#x2) - Cover your mouth so germs don't spread. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spread/#x3) - Spread out so you have more space. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spread/#x4) - The news spread quickly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spread/#x5) - The bird spread its wings. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spread/#x6) - Don't spread rumours. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spread/#x7) - Spread the payments over six months. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spread/#x8) - The confusion spread wider and wider. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spread/#x9) ### Note Past and past participle are both "spread". In maths, spreading a total over equal parts means dividing: "$60 spread over 6 weeks" = $10 a week. ## In Jewish tradition It means to stretch out, as of a tent, or to grow and move outward, as of people or a skin disease. In Leviticus, a mark that spreads is a sign of uncleanness. The Prophets and Writings also use it for armies spreading out over a valley, and for a net spread to catch birds. **Interpretation.** In the laws of skin marks, a spot that spreads is a sign of impurity and one that stays put is not. In Exodus the Israelites spreading abroad shows God's blessing despite Egypt's oppression. The net spread in vain before a bird is read in Proverbs as a picture of how wrongdoers trap themselves. ### Examples - And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond Migdal-eder. (Torah GEN.35.21, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/spread/#x1) - But if the scall spread abroad in the skin after his cleansing, (Torah LEV.13.35, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/spread/#x2) - But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. (Torah EXO.1.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/spread/#x3) - Now the Philistines had come and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. (Prophets 2SA.5.18, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/spread/#x4) - For in vain the net is spread in the eyes of any bird; (Writings PRO.1.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/spread/#x5) - Then the Philistines went up, and pitched in Judah, and spread themselves against Lehi. (Prophets JDG.15.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/spread/#x6) ### Note Past and past participle are both "spread". In maths, spreading a total over equal parts means dividing: "$60 spread over 6 weeks" = $10 a week. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «spread» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spread/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«spread» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/spread.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «spread» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/spread/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«spread» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/spread.html) on Mova free.