Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Scatter

Scatter , transitive verb

[Old English scateren. See Shatter.]

1.
To strew about; to sprinkle around; to throw down loosely; to deposit or place here and there, esp. in an open or sparse order.
And some are scattered all the floor about. — Chaucer
Why should my muse enlarge on Libyan swains, Their scattered cottages, and ample plains? — Dryden
Teach the glad hours to scatter, as they fly, Soft quiet, gentle love, and endless joy. — Prior
2.
To cause to separate in different directions; to reduce from a close or compact to a loose or broken order; to dissipate; to disperse.
Scatter and disperse the giddy Goths. — Shakespeare
3.
Hence, to frustrate, disappoint, and overthrow; as, to scatter hopes, plans, or the like.

Scatter , intransitive verb

To be dispersed or dissipated; to disperse or separate; as, clouds scatter after a storm.