— extensively , adv. — extensiveness, extensivity /ek'sten siv"i tee, ik-/ , n.
/ik sten"siv/ , adj.
1. of great extent; wide; broad: an extensive area.
2. covering or extending over a great area: extensive travels.
3. far-reaching; comprehensive; thorough: extensive knowledge.
4. lengthy: an extensive journey.
5. great in amount, number, or degree: an extensive fortune; extensive political influence.
6. of or having extension: Space is extensive, time durational.
7. noting or pertaining to a system of agriculture involving the use or cultivation of large areas of land with a minimum of labor and expense (opposed to intensive ).
[ 1375-1425; late ME extensivus, equiv. to L extens ( us ) (ptp. of extendere to EXTEND) + -ivus -IVE ]
Syn. 1. extended, large, spacious, ample, vast.
Ant. 1, 3. limited, narrow, confined. 3. parochial.