vt.& vi. 伸开;展开;（使）传播;（使）散布;
n. 范围;连续的一段时间;
vt. 涂;把…覆盖在…上(over);把…敲平;散发（气、烟等）;
vi. （景色、景致）展现;传开;（人群）散开;软化;
adj. 张开的;[语言学]双唇展开的;（宝石）扁薄发光的;（文章、照片等）跨两栏（或多栏）的;
spread
v
(pt, pp spread)
1
(a) [Tn, Tn.pr, Tn.p]
~ sth (out) (on/over sth) extend the surface area, width or length of sth by unfolding or unrolling it 展开; 铺开; 摊开
The bird spread (out) its wings. 那只鸟张开了翅膀.
spread a cloth on the table 把桌布铺在桌子上
spread out one's arms, eg to welcome or embrace sb 张开两臂（如欢迎或拥抱某人）
spread the map out on the floor 在地板上摊开地图.
(b) [Tn.pr] ~ sth with sth cover sth with sth by doing this 将某物铺於某物上
spread a table with a cloth 把桌布铺在桌子上.
2
(a) [Tn.pr] ~ A on B put (a substance) on (a surface) and extend its area by flattening, etc; apply sth as a layer on sth 在（某物表面）上涂（某物）; 敷
spread butter on bread 把黄油涂在面包上
spread glue on paper 把胶水涂在纸上.
(b) [Tn.pr] ~ B with A cover (a surface) with (a substance) by doing this 将（某物）涂在（某物表面）上
spread bread with butter 把黄油涂在面包上.
(c) [I] be able to be spread in this way; be applied in a layer 能涂敷; 被涂开
Butter spreads more easily when it's softer. 黄油软一些就容易涂抹.
margarine that spreads straight from the fridge, ie does not go hard when cold 从冰箱中取出便可涂开的人造黄油.
3 [I, Ipr, Tn, Tn.pr]
(a) (cause sth to) become (more) widely known, felt or suffered （使某事物）传播, 流传, 蔓延
The disease is spreading fast. 这种病正在迅速蔓延.
Fear spread quickly through the village. 全村不多久便人心惶惶了.
The strike has already spread to other factories. 这次罢工已在其他工厂产生连锁反应.
The water spread over the floor. 水流了一地.
Flies spread disease. 苍蝇能传播疾病.
He spread the news around the town. 他在镇上到处传播这一消息.
(b) (cause sth to) become distributed （使某事物）散布, 散开
Settlers soon spread inland. 移居到发展中地区的人不久就迁徙到内地了.
4 [I, Ipr] extend in size, area, etc 扩大; 伸展; 扩展
a desert spreading for hundreds of miles 绵延上百英里的沙漠
The forest spreads as far as the river. 这片森林一直延伸到河边.
5 [Tn, Tn.pr]
~ sth (over sth) distribute sth over a period of time 将某事物分散於某段时间内
spread the payments over three months 分三个月付清
a course of studies spread over three years 为期三年的课程.
6 [usupassive 通常用於被动语态
Tn, Tn.pr]
~ sth (with sth)prepare (a table) for a meal 在（餐桌）上摆上饭菜
The table was spread with cakes and sandwiches. 桌上摆好了糕饼和三明治.
7 (idm 习语) spread like `wildfire (esp of rumours, reports, disease) travel, spread, etc very fast （尤指谣言、 传闻、 疾病）飞速地传开、 蔓延等
The news spread like wildfire. 这消息不胫而走. spread one's `net prepare to catch sb or get sb in one's power or influence 布下罗网（以捉住某人或迫使某人就范）. `spread oneself
(a) occupy much space (eg by lying out with limbs extended) 占用很多地方（如四肢摊开躺著）
Since there was no one else in the compartment I was able to spread myself. 车厢间隔里没有别人, 我正好能伸胳膊伸腿舒坦一下.
(b) talk or write at length (on a subject) （就某主题）滔滔不绝地说或长篇大论地写.
(c) spend or provide things generously 大方地花费或提供物品. spread one's `wings (have confidence to) extend one's activities and interests （有信心去）扩展活动和爱好
We hope college life will help him to spread his wings a bit. 我们希望大学生活有助於他扩展兴趣爱好.
8 (phr v) spread (sb/oneself) out move (sb/oneself) away from others in a group so as to cover a wider area 使（某人[自己]）离开其他人...
Feel free to bring your brother if he would like to come.
如果喜欢的话，你不妨带令兄一起来。
Men, particularly, spend hours of their leisure time installing their own fireplaces, laying out their own gardens; building garages and making furniture.