Sparse (?), a. [Compar. Sparser (?); superl. Sparsest.] [L. sparsus, p.p. of spargere to strew, scatter. Cf. Asperse, Disperse.]
1.
Thinly scattered; set or planted here and there; not being dense or close together; as, a sparse population.
Carlyle.
2. Bot.
Placed irregularly and distantly; scattered; -- applied to branches, leaves, peduncles, and the like.
© Webster 1913.
Sparse, v. t. [L. sparsus, p.p. of spargere to scatter.]
To scatter; to disperse.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
© Webster 1913.