distribute

[dih-strib-yoot] /dɪˈstrɪb yut/
verb (used with object), distributed, distributing.
1.
to divide and give out in shares; deal out; allot.
2.
to disperse through a space or over an area; spread; scatter.
3.
to promote, sell, and ship or deliver (an item or line of merchandise) to individual customers, especially in a specified region or area.
4.
to pass out or deliver (mail, newspapers, etc.) to intended recipients.
5.
to divide into distinct phases:
The process was distributed into three stages.
6.
to divide into classes:
These plants are distributed into 22 classes.
7.
Logic. to employ (a term) in a proposition so as to refer to all individuals denoted by the term.
8.
Physical Chemistry. to dissolve uniformly in a solvent consisting of layers of immiscible or partially miscible substances.
9.
Printing.
  1. to roll out (ink) on the table to attain the proper consistency.
  2. to return (type) to the proper place after printing.
Origin
1400-50; late Middle English < Latin distribūtus, past participle of distribuere to divide up. See dis-1, tribute
Related forms
distributable, adjective
predistribute, verb (used with object), predistributed, predistributing.
Synonyms
1. assign, mete, apportion. Distribute, dispense apply to giving out something. Distribute implies apportioned, individualized giving, especially of something that is definite or limited in amount or number: The prizes were distributed among ten winners. Dispense formerly implied indiscriminate, general, and liberal giving, especially of something that was more or less indefinite or unmeasured in amount: to dispense largess. It now applies chiefly to giving according to need or deserts, from an organized and official source: to dispense medicines and food to the victims. 6. dispose, sort, arrange, categorize.
Examples from the web for distribute
  • We have no plans to further distribute this particular program.
  • Contrary to popular belief, companies do actually distribute profits beyond shareholders.
  • She is planning to distribute them free, or for a nominal licensing fee, to those who want to learn.
  • They also included solar thermal collectors that distribute the sun's heat through a radiant floor system.
  • New research suggests that surface-generated eddies help distribute heat, chemistry and life at deep-ocean hydrothermal vents.
  • Free, elegant gift cards to distribute to your recipients.
  • It's no cheaper per unit to distribute a million copies than a hundred.
  • Slowly pour stock over cubes, tossing to distribute liquid.
  • If you distribute a paper syllabus, remember that the pages will come apart.
  • With compact-disc sales plummeting, record companies are rethinking how to distribute copyright music online.
British Dictionary definitions for distribute

distribute

/dɪˈstrɪbjuːt/
verb (transitive)
1.
to give out in shares; dispense
2.
to hand out or deliver: to distribute handbills
3.
(often passive) to spread throughout a space or area: gulls are distributed along the west coast
4.
(often passive) to divide into classes or categories; classify: these books are distributed in four main categories
5.
(printing) to return (used type) to the correct positions in the type case
6.
(logic) to incorporate in a distributed term of a categorial proposition
7.
(maths, logic) to expand an expression containing two operators in such a way that the precedence of the operators is changed; for example, distributing multiplication over addition in a(b + c) yields ab + ac
8.
(obsolete) to dispense (justice)
Derived Forms
distributable, adjective
Word Origin
C15: from Latin distribuere from dis-1 + tribuere to give
Word Origin and History for distribute
v.

early 15c., "to deal out or apportion," from Latin distributus, past participle of distribuere "to divide, distribute" (see distribution). Related: Distributable; distributed; distributing.