Strew, v. t.

(strū, or strō) (Synop., § 130), v. t. [imp. & p. p. STREWED; p. pr. & vb. n. STREWING.] [A-S. streówian, streówian, O. Sax. streówian, O. Fries. strewa, Icel. strō, Sw. strö, Dan. ströe, Goth. straujan, D. strooijen, O. H. Ger. streuwan, N. H. Ger. streuen, allied to Lat. sternere, stravi, stratum, and Gr. στρωνύναι, σπορεννύναι. This verb is written straw, strew, or strow. Straw is obsolete, and strow is little used. Strew is generally used.]

1Sense 1. To scatter; to spread by scattering;—always applied to dry substances separable into parts or particles; as, to strew seed in beds; to strew sand on or over a floor; to strew flowers over a grave.

2Sense 2. To scatter loosely. “Strewed his mangled limbs about the field.” Dryden.

3Sense 3. To cover by scattering something over. “The snow which does the top of Pindus strew.” Spenser.

Is thine alone the seed that strews the plain? Pope.

4Sense 4. To spread abroad. “She may strew dangerous conjectures.” Shak.

To strew out, to stretch or prolong.

I have no portion in them, nor their deal Of news they get to strew out the long meal. B. Jonson.