Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Expand
Ex-pand′
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Expanded
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Expanding
.] [L.
expandere
, expansum
; ex
out + pandere
to spread out, to throw open; perh. akin to E. patent
. Cf. Spawn
.] 1.
To lay open by extending; to open wide; to spread out; to diffuse;
as, a flower
. expands
its leavesThen 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
contract
; as, to
expand
the chest; heat expands
all bodies; to expand
the sphere of benevolence.Ex-pand′
,Verb.
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. Dryden.
Webster 1828 Edition
Expand
EXPAND'
,Verb.
T.
1.
To open; to spread; as, a flower expands its leaves.2.
To spread; to enlarge a surface; to diffuse; as, a stream expands its waters over a plain.3.
To dilate; to enlarge in bulk; to distend; as, to expand the chest by inspiration; heat expands all bodies; air is expanded by rarefaction.4.
To enlarge; to extend; as, to expand the sphere of benevolence; to expand the heart or affections.Definition 2024
expand
expand
English
Verb
expand (third-person singular simple present expands, present participle expanding, simple past and past participle expanded)
- (transitive) To change (something) from a smaller form and/or size to a larger one.
- You can expand this compact umbrella to cover a large table.
- (transitive) To increase the extent, number, volume or scope of (something).
- A flower expands its leaves.
- John Milton (1608-1674)
- Then with expanded wings he steers his flight.
- (transitive) To express (something) at length and/or in detail.
- (transitive, algebra) To rewrite (an expression) as a longer, yet equivalent sum of terms.
- Use the binomial theorem to expand (x+1)4 to x4 + 4x3 + 6x2 + 4x + 1.
- (transitive, arithmetic) To multiply both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction by the same natural number yielding a fraction of equal value
- (intransitive) To (be) change(d) from a smaller form/size to a larger one.
- Many materials expand when heated.
- This compact umbrella expands to cover a large table.
- (intransitive) To (be) increase(d) in extent, number, volume or scope.
- (intransitive) To speak or write at length or in detail.
- He's so pedantic, he expands on everything!
- 1899, Stephen Crane, chapter 1, in Twelve O'Clock:
- There was some laughter, and Roddle was left free to expand his ideas on the periodic visits of cowboys to the town. “Mason Rickets, he had ten big punkins a-sittin' in front of his store, an' them fellers from the Upside-down-F ranch shot 'em up […].”
- (intransitive) To feel generous or optimistic.
Synonyms
- (to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one): open out, spread, spread out, unfold
- (to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of): enlarge
- (to express at length or in detail): elaborate (on), expand on
Antonyms
- (to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one): contract
- (to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of): contract
- (algebra: to rewrite as an equivalent sum of terms): factor
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
(transitive) to change from a smaller form/size to a larger one
(transitive) to increase the extent, number, volume or scope of'
|
(transitive) to express at length or in detail
(transitive) algebra: to rewrite as an equivalent sum of terms
(intransitive) to (be) change(d) from a smaller form/size to a larger one
(intransitive) to (be) increase(d) in extent, number, volume or scope
(intransitive) to speak or write at length or in detail
(intransitive) to feel generous or optimistic
|
(intransitive) algebra: to rewrite as an equivalent sum of terms
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