To (cause to) separate and go in different directions; to disperse.

“The crowd scattered in terror.”

To distribute loosely as by sprinkling.

“Her ashes were scattered at the top of a waterfall.”

To deflect (radiation or particles).

A small quantity of something occurring at irregular intervals and dispersed at random points,

“There will be a scattering of showers, with heavy rain in places.”

(elections) The total number of votes awarded to nonmajor or unlisted candidates.

The process whereby a beam of waves or particles is dispersed by collisions or similar interactions.