To spread is to open or stretch something out over a larger area, or to move something so it covers more space or reaches more people. It can describe physical things like butter on bread, or abstract things like news or disease.
From Old English “spreodan” meaning “to extend, stretch out, expand.” It is related to other Germanic words for stretching and broadening.
Spread is a powerful idea because it works from toast to TikTok: you spread jam, but you also spread rumors or viruses. Notice how we talk about things ‘going viral’—it’s the same mental picture of something quickly spreading out in all directions.
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