Dis-pĕr'sion, n.

(-shun), n. [Fr. dispersion, Pr. dispersio, Sp. dispersion, It. dispersione. See DISPERSE.] 1. The act of scattering. 2. The state of being scattered or separated; as, the Jews in their dispersion retain their rites and ceremonies; a great dispersion of the human family took place at the building of Babel. 3. (Opt.) The separation of light into its different colored rays, arising from their different refrangibilities. 4. (Med.) The removing of inflammation from a part.