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.