sperse, v. Now arch.
(spɜːs)
Also 7 spearse.
[Aphetic form of disperse v., prob. in part after It. sperso, pa. pple. of spergere to scatter.]
1. trans. To cause to scatter or disperse; to drive in different directions.
| 1580 Baret Alv. S. 93 That is spersed and scattered out of order. 1591 Spenser Visions Bellay viii, I saw the wrathfull winde..That sperst these cloudes. 1596 ― F.Q. v. iii. 37 He..broke his sword in twaine, and all his armour sperst. 1603 Dekker Wh. Babylon (1607) K iv, Are those clowds sperst that stroue to dimme our light? 1614 Gorges Lucan ii. 77 Rockes..like the sands are spearst abroad, Faster than hands can them vnload. 1642 H. More Song of Soul xlviii, What then shall hinder but a roscid air With gentle heat eachwhere be 'sperst and sprent. |
| 1845 T. Cooper Purg. Suicides (1877) 122 Who, then, shall sperse the dark eternal mists? 1879 J. D. Long æneid i. 80 Wreck their sinking boats, Or sperse and whelm their corses in the deep. |
2. intr. To take different directions.
| 1819 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd (1827) 125 They..spers'd about in search o' beds. |
Hence
spersed ppl. a.| 1590 Spenser F.Q. i. i. 39 Making speedy way through spersed ayre. 1642 H. More Song of Soul ii. App. 5 An inward triumph doth my soul up-heave And spread abroad through endlesse 'spersed air. |