[ex.tend] vb [ME, fr. MF or L; MF estendre, fr. L extendere, fr. ex- + tendere to stretch--more at thin] vt (14c) 1: to spread or stretch forth: unbend "~ed both her arms"
2. a: to stretch out to fullest length b: to cause (as a horse) to move at full stride c: to exert (oneself) to full capacity "could work long and hard without seeming to ~ himself" d (1): to increase the bulk of (as by adding a cheaper substance or a modifier) (2): adulterate 3 [ME, fr. ML extendere (fr. L) or AF estendre, fr. OF] a Brit: to take possession of (as lands) by a writ of extent b obs: to take by force
4. a: to make the offer of: proffer "~ing aid to the needy" b: to make available "~ing credit to customers"
5. a: to cause to reach (as in distance or scope) "national authority was ~ed over new territories" b: to cause to be longer: prolong "~ the side of a triangle" "~ed their visit another day"; also: to prolong the time of payment of c: advance, further "~ing her potential through job training"
6. a: to cause to be of greater area or volume: enlarge b: to increase the scope, meaning, or application of: broaden "beauty, I suppose, opens the heart, ~s the consciousness --Algernon Blackwood" c archaic: exaggerate ~ vi 1: to stretch out in distance, space, or time: reach "their jurisdiction ~ed over the whole area"
2: to reach in scope or application "his concern ~s beyond mere business to real service to his customers" -- ex.tend.abil.i.ty n -- ex.tend.able also ex.tend.ible adj syn extend, lengthen, prolong, protract mean to draw out or add to so as to increase in length. extend and lengthen imply a drawing out in space or time but extend may also imply increase in width, scope, area, or range "extend a vacation" "extend welfare services" "lengthen a skirt" "lengthen the workweek". prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration esp. beyond usual limits "prolonged illness". protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness "protracted litigation".