Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Expatiate

Ex-pa′ti-ate

,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Expatiated
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Expariating
.]
[L.
expatiatus
,
exspatiatus
, p. p. of
expatiari
,
exspatiari
, to expatiate;
ex
out +
spatiari
to walk about spread out, fr.
spatium
space. See
Space
.]
1.
To range at large, or without restraint.
Bids his free soul
expatiate
in the skies.
Pope.
2.
To enlarge in discourse or writing; to be copious in argument or discussion; to descant.
He
expatiated
on the inconveniences of trade.
Addison.

Ex-pa′ti-ate

,
Verb.
T.
To expand; to spread; to extend; to diffuse; to broaden.
Afford art an ample field in which to
expatiate
itself.
Dryden.

Webster 1828 Edition


Expatiate

EXPA'TIATE

,
Verb.
I.
[L. expatior; ex and spatior, to wander, to enlarge in discourse, spatium, space, probably allied to pateo, to open.
1.
To open at large; to rove without prescribed limits; to wander in space without restraint.
He bids his soul expatiate in the skies.
Expatiate free o'er all this scene of man.
2.
To enlarge in discourse or writing; to be copious in argument or discussion. On important topics the orator thinks himself at liberty to expatiate.