What does "dilate" mean?
Dilate: 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.
Additional senses
- 2.To grow wide; to expand; to swell or extend in all directions. His heart dilates and glories in his strength. Addison.
- 3.To speak largely and copiously; to dwell in narration; to enlarge; -- with on or upon. But still on their ancient joys dilate. Crabbe.
- 4.Extensive; expanded. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00