v. Now arch. 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. Ibid. (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, Purgatory Suicides (1877), 122. Who, then, shall sperse the dark eternal mists That veil all being?
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.
