A tool or person that spreads something out, like a butter spreader for toast or someone who spreads disease or rumors.
From the verb 'spread' (Old English 'spraedan'), meaning to open out or extend. The '-er' suffix creates an agent noun indicating something or someone that performs the action. The tool sense dates to the 1700s.
In modern disease control, disease 'spreaders' (called 'super-spreaders') might infect way more people than average—one person can trigger hundreds of cases! Scientists learned during COVID that a small percentage of infected people cause the majority of transmission.
Used pejoratively as gendered slur, particularly in historical and contemporary contexts to demean women's sexuality. Etymology weaponized for shame.
Use technical or occupational context explicitly. If describing disease vector or tool, specify: 'disease vector' or 'manure spreader'—avoid standalone usage.
["vector","distributor","applicator","tool name (specify type)"]
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