English Dictionary: dilating | by the DICT Development Group |
1 result for dilating | |
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: | |
Dilate \Di*late"\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Dilated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Dilating}.] [L. dilatare; either fr. di- = dis- + latus wide, not the same word as latus, used as p. p. of ferre to bear (see {Latitude}); or fr. dilatus, used as p. p. of differre to separate (see {Delay}, {Tolerate}, {Differ}, and cf. {Dilatory}): cf. F. dilater.] 1. To expand; to distend; to enlarge or extend in all directions; to swell; -- opposed to {contract}; as, the air dilates the lungs; air is dilated by increase of heat. 2. To enlarge upon; to relate at large; to tell copiously or diffusely. [R.] Do me the favor to dilate at full What hath befallen of them and thee till now. --Shak. Syn: To expand; swell; distend; enlarge; spread out; amplify; expatiate. |