Usage Tip: disperse vs. disburse

This one actually caught me by surprise--I came across it in a white paper I was reading and almost didn't catch it!

Disperse means to spread out or distribute. Dispersal refers to the process of distributing or spreading out.

Disburse means to pay for something out of an account. A disbursement is a payment from an account, and disbursal is the act of paying from an account.

Incorrect:

• I need to call my IRA company to arrange for a dispersement from my account.  
• I am responsible for dispersing funds from our organization's accounts.
• We need to disburse the experts among the different teams.
• Plants use a wide variety of methods for seed disbursal.

Correct:

• There is a place on your tax form to record any disbursements from your retirement funds.
• As soon as I have approval from the head accountant I can disburse the funds.
• The internet has allowed the widespread dispersal of ideas across the world.
•  Once we get to the park, you can all disperse and explore wherever you want.