Now most persons in this category supply themselves with information, as peddlers do with goods, for the benefit of others, and
lay up stores in order to diffuse them abroad for the benefit of society in general. Using context clues what is the best meaning of “diffuse”? 1. to spread out over a wide number of people 2. to have a feeling of unease or embarrassment 3. to hide information 4. to store up goods
The correct answer is option number one: to spread out over a wide number of people.
For context clues notice how the author of the included text mentions 'as peddlers do with goods for the benefit of others' right before mentioning that in the same way the people who supply themselves with information lay up stores in 'order to diffuse them for the benefit of society in general' just as peddlers of goods do with their wares.
