v.
Pronunciation: ik- ' spand
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English expaunden, from Latin expandere, from ex- + pandere to spread ― more at FATHOM
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
1 : to open up : UNFOLD
2 : to increase the extent, number, volume, or scope of : ENLARGE
3 a : to express at length or in greater detail b : to write out in full < expand all abbreviations> c : to subject to mathematical expansion < expand a function in a power series>
intransitive verb
1 : to open out : SPREAD
2 : to increase in extent, number, volume, or scope
3 : to speak or write fully or in detail < expand ed on the theme>
4 : to feel generous or optimistic
– ex · pand · abil · i · ty \ - ˌ span-d ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– ex · pand · able \ - ' span-d ə -b ə l \ adjective
synonyms EXPAND , AMPLIFY , SWELL , DISTEND , INFLATE , DILATE mean to increase in size or volume. EXPAND may apply whether the increase comes from within or without and regardless of manner (as growth, unfolding, addition of parts) <a business that expands every year>. AMPLIFY implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate < amplify the statement with details>. SWELL implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits <the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions> . DISTEND implies outward extension caused by pressure from within <a distended abdomen>. INFLATE implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a resulting vulnerability and liability to sudden collapse <an inflated ego>. DILATE applies especially to expansion of circumference < dilated pupils>.