Dictionary entry

Strew

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Strew (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Strewed (?); p. p.strewn (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Strewing.] [OE. strewen, strawen, AS. strewian, streówian; akin to Ofries. strewa, OS. strewian, D. strooijen, G. streuen, OHG. strewen, Icel. strā, Sw. strö, Dan. ströe, Goth. straujan, L. sternere, stratum, Gr. �, �, Skr. st�. √166. Cf. Stratum, Straw, Street.] 1. To scatter; to spread by scattering; to cast or to throw loosely apart; — used of solids, separated or separable into parts or particles; as, to strew seed in beds; to strew sand on or over a floor; to strew flowers over a grave.

And strewed his mangled limbs about the field. Dryden.

On a principal table a desk was open and many papers strewn about. Beaconsfield.

2. To cover more or less thickly by scattering something over or upon; to cover, or lie upon, by having been scattered; as, they strewed the ground with leaves; leaves strewed the ground.

The snow which does the top of Pindus strew. Spenser.

Is thine alone the seed that strews the plain? Pope.

3. To spread abroad; to disseminate.

She may strew dangerous conjectures. Shak.