Spread Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Psychology

• In psychological terms, 'spread' can refer to how information or emotions can be disseminated through social networks.
• The 'spread of emotions' theory suggests that people's feelings can influence those around them, creating an emotional ripple effect.
• Studies show that good news spreads more quickly than bad news, influencing group dynamics and perceptions.

Pop Culture

• In social media, 'spread' often refers to how quickly a meme or trend can gain popularity.
• The 'spread' of music genres can be seen through global hits that start in one country and become worldwide sensations, like K-Pop.
• In cooking shows, 'spread' is frequently used to describe the process of layering and distributing ingredients.

Literature

• In literature, 'spread' can denote the unfolding of a story over time, with plot and characters expanding in complexity.
• Poets often use the imagery of 'spreading' to depict themes of growth and change in nature or human experience.
• The 'spread' format in magazines allows multiple stories or visuals to be viewed at once, showcasing diverse narratives.

Science

• In biology, 'spread' can describe how species extend their habitats, adapting to new environments.
• The concept of 'spread' is significant in epidemiology, referring to how diseases move through populations.
• Mathematics uses the term 'spread' to describe the distribution of data points or the dispersion of values around a mean.

Main points about word origin

• The word 'spread' comes from Old English 'spearwan,' meaning to scatter or spread out.
• It has been used in English since the early 14th century, often in the context of extending or expanding something.
• Related words in other languages point to a common need to describe the act of opening out or extending, like in Spanish 'esparcir.'

The word 'spread' originated from the Old English word 'sprædan', which means to extend, stretch out. Over time, it evolved to encompass a variety of meanings related to covering, distributing, and extending. The concept of spreading has been integral to human activities such as cooking, communication, and agriculture.

See also: spreadable, spreader, spreading, spreadsheet.

Positioned at #1,497, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.

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