spread
verb [ I or T ] uk/spred/ us/spred/ spread
B2 （使）展开，（使）铺开;（使）蔓延，（使）扩散
to (cause to) cover, reach, or have an effect on a wider or increasing area
The fire spread very rapidly because of the strong wind. 风很大，火势迅速蔓延开来。
It started off as cancer of the liver but it spread to other areas of the body. 开始的时候是肝癌，后来扩散到了身体的其他部位。
The redundancies are spread across the banking and building industries. 裁员之风席卷了银行业和建筑业。
We spread the picnic rug out on the ground and sat down to eat. 我们把野餐毯铺在地上，坐下来吃东西。
The virus is spread (= given to other people) through contact with blood and other body fluids. 病毒通过血液及其他体液的接触而传染。
Are you spreading (= telling a lot of people) gossip/rumours again? 你是不是又在四处散播谣言了？
If we spread (= divide) the work between us, it won't seem so bad. 如果我们大家分担一下工作，情况可能就没那么糟糕了。
She spread her toast with a thick layer of butter./She spread a thick layer of butter on her toast. 她在吐司上涂了厚厚的一层黄油。
It's a special sort of butter that spreads easily even when cold. 这是一种很特别的黄油，在凉的时候也很容易涂抹。
The suburbs spread (out) for miles to either side of the city. 郊区向城市两边都伸展出数英里。
Slowly a smile spread across her face. 她的脸上慢慢露出了微笑。
- More examples
- Evidence suggested that the virus was spreading very quickly among the heterosexual community.
- Discontent among junior ranks was rapidly spreading.
- If disease is allowed to spread, it will cause widespread devastation.
- The flames grew larger as the fire spread.
- Rats and flies spread germs.
Idioms
spread your wingsidiom 展翅高飞；初试身手
to use your abilities for the first time in your life to do new and exciting things
She'd been working for the same company for 15 years and it was time to leave and spread her wings. 她已经在同一家公司工作了15年，该是换个环境展翅高飞的时候了。
spread the wordidiom 散布消息
to communicate a message to a lot of people
We've arranged a meeting for next Thursday so if you see anyone do spread the word. 我们安排在下周四开会，你如果看到谁的话，务必告诉他一声。
spread yourself too thinidiom 同时做太多事情（以致没有足够时间或精力关注任何一个）
to try to do too many things at the same time, so that you cannot give enough time or attention to any of them
I realized I'd been spreading myself too thin so I resigned as secretary of the golf club. 我意识到我做的事情太多，因此我辞去了高尔夫球俱乐部的秘书一职。
Phrasal verbs
spread outB2 （人）散开
If people spread out, they move from being close together in a group to being in different places across a larger area.
They spread out to search the whole area. 他们散开来搜查整个地区。
spread something over somethingC2 使…分期完成;使…分次进行;分摊
to arrange for something to happen in stages during a period of time
The course is spread over two years. 课程两年完成。
The repayments on the loan can be spread out over three years. 这笔贷款可以在3年内分期偿还。
spread
noun uk/spred/ us/spred/
(AREA COVERED)
B2 [ S ]扩散，蔓延
the development or growth of something so that it covers a larger area or affects a larger number of people
The spread of the disease in the last few years has been alarming. 近几年这种疾病的广泛传播着实令人担忧。
[ S ]涉及区域;范围
the area or range covered by something
The survey found a wide spread of opinion over the proposed new building. 调查广泛征集了对于拟议中的新建筑的意见。
[ C ]整版（或横贯几版的）文章（或广告）
a large article or advertisement covering one or more pages in a newspaper or magazine
There's a double-page spread on the latest fashions. 有一篇横贯两版的文章介绍最新的时尚。
- More examples
- The chief problem we have in the area now is the spread of disease.
- The government is trying to allay public fears about the spread of the disease.
- The treatment has so far done little to arrest the spread of the cancer.
- The mountains acted as a natural barrier to the spread of the disease.
- The Swedes are not alone in finding their language under pressure from the ubiquitous spread of English.
(SOFT FOOD)
[ C or U ]涂在面包（或饼干）上的食物;酱
a soft food for putting on bread and biscuits
cheese/chocolate/fish spread 奶酪／巧克力／鱼酱
There's bread and various spreads for tea. 茶点有面包和各种抹酱。
(LAND)
[ C ] US大牧场，大农场
a ranch or other large area of land or water
(MEAL)
[ C ] UK old-fashioned or US（尤指丰盛的）饭菜，酒席
a meal, especially one for a special occasion with a lot of different dishes arranged on a table
Sheila laid on (= made) a magnificent spread for us. 希拉为我们准备了丰盛的饭菜。
(DIFFERENCE)
[ C ]差异，差距；（价格或利率等之间的）差额
the difference between two amounts, such as two prices or interest rates
The issue was priced at a spread of 115 basis points above Treasury bonds. 这一期的价格定在比财政部债券高115点的位置。