spread
/sprɛd/
verb
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*sprædjaną — to stretch, spread
Overview
Meaning Now
- To open out, extend, or unfold so as to increase surface area.
- To distribute or disperse something over an area.
- To become known or transmit over a period of time or distance.
Literal older meaning
to scatter or stretch out
Language path
Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
sprædan
Earliest period
Old English
Journey
The verb 'spread' descends from the West Germanic root *sprædjan. It is notable for being a strong verb in some historical stages but regularizing into a weak verb in modern English, while maintaining irregular past tense forms that are identical to the present (spread/spread/spread).
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*sprædjaną
“to stretch or expand”
- Old English
sprædan
“to spread, extend, scatter”
- Middle English
spreden
“to expand, cover a surface”
- Modern English
spread
“to expand or transmit”
Connections
Word parts
spread
root
to stretch or expand
Related across languages
Dutch
spreiden
to spread
German
spreiten
to spread out
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Related to spread
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.