v. & n.
v. 1 tr. & intr. draw or be drawn or admit of being drawn out into greater length or size. 2 tr. & intr. make or become taut. 3 tr. & intr. place or lie at full length or spread out (with a canopy stretched over them). 4 tr. (also absol.) a extend (an arm, leg, etc.). b (often refl.) thrust out one's limbs and tighten one's muscles after being relaxed. 5 intr. have a specified length or extension; extend (farmland stretches for many miles). 6 tr. strain or exert extremely or excessively; exaggerate (stretch the truth). 7 intr. (as stretched adj.) lying at full length.
n. 1 a continuous extent or expanse or period (a stretch of open road). 2 the act or an instance of stretching; the state of being stretched. 3 (attrib.) able to stretch; elastic (stretch fabric). 4 a colloq. a period of imprisonment. b a period of service. 5 US the straight side of a racetrack. 6 Naut. the distance covered on one tack. at full stretch working to capacity. at a stretch 1 in one continuous period (slept for two hours at a stretch). 2 with much effort. stretch one's legs exercise oneself by walking. stretch marks marks on the skin resulting from a gain of weight, or on the abdomen after pregnancy. stretch out 1 tr. extend (a hand or foot etc.). 2 intr. & tr. last for a longer period; prolong. 3 tr. make (money etc.) last for a sufficient time. stretch a point agree to something not normally allowed. stretch one's wings see WING. stretchable adj. stretchability n. stretchy adj. stretchiness n.
[ OE streccan f. WG: cf. STRAIGHT ]