Thesaurus: expand

Related headwords

Definitions

1. v. t. To lay open by extending; to open wide; to spread out; to diffuse; as, a flower expands its leaves.
2. v. t. To cause the particles or parts of to spread themselves or stand apart, thus increasing bulk without addition of substance; to make to occupy more space; to dilate; to distend; to extend every way; to enlarge; -- opposed to contract; as, to expand the chest; heat expands all bodies; to expand the sphere of benevolence.
3. v. t. To state in enlarged form; to develop; as, to expand an equation. See Expansion, 5.
4. v. i. To become widely opened, spread apart, dilated, distended, or enlarged; as, flowers expand in the spring; metals expand by heat; the heart expands with joy.
5. v. extend in one or more directions
6. v. become larger in size or volume or quantity
7. v. make bigger or wider in size, volume, or quantity
8. v. grow vigorously
9. v. exaggerate or make bigger
10. v. add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing
11. v. expand the influence of
12. 1. To lay open by extending; to open wide; to spread out; to diffuse; as, a flower expands its leaves. Then with expanded wings he steers his flight. Milton. 2. To cause the particles or parts of to spread themselves or stand apart, thus increasing bulk without addition of substance; to make to occupy more space; to dilate; to distend; to extend every way; to enlarge; -- opposed to Ant: contract; as, to expand the chest; heat expands all bodies; to expand the sphere of benevolence. 3. (Math.) To state in enlarged form; to develop; as, to expand an equation. See Expansion, 5. To become widely opened, spread apart, dilated, distended, or enlarged; as, flowers expand in the spring; metals expand by heat; the heart expands with joy. Dryden.