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disperso

scattered

adjective dee-SPER-zoh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Conditions

Origin: From Latin dispersus, past participle of dispergere (to scatter).

Also means

missing (person)

Usage Note

Disperso has two distinct uses: describing something physically scattered or spread out (truppe disperse — scattered troops), and referring to a person reported missing, especially in war or disaster contexts (un soldato disperso — a soldier missing in action). As a noun, i dispersi means the missing persons. Do not confuse with disperato (desperate).

Examples

"I soldati dispersi furono trovati dopo tre giorni."

Natural Translation

The missing soldiers were found after three days.

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