distribute

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   make available

   The publisher wants to distribute the book in Asia

2. 2
   verb

   be distributed or spread, as in statistical analyses

   Values distribute

3. 3
   verb

   spread throughout a given area

   the function distributes the values evenly

4. 4
   verb

   To divide into portions and dispense.

   He distributed the bread amongst his followers.

5. 5
   verb

   To supply to retail outlets.

   The agency distributes newspapers to local shops.

6. 6
   verb

   To deliver or pass out.

   A network of children distributes flyers to every house.

7. 7
   verb

   To scatter or spread.

   I raked the soil then distributed grass seed.

8. 8
   verb

   To apportion (more or less evenly).

   The robot's six legs distributed its weight over a wide area.

Etymology

PIE word *tréyes From Latin distributus, past participle of distribuere (“to divide, distribute”), from dis- (“apart”) + tribuere (“to give, impart”); see tribute.