■ verb
1》 (of something soft or elastic) be made or be able to be made longer or wider without tearing or breaking.
↘pull (something) tightly from one point to another or across a space.
2》 straighten or extend one's body or a part of one's body to its full length.
3》 last or cause to last longer than expected.
↘(of finances or resources) be sufficient for a particular purpose.
4》 extend over an area or period of time.
5》 make demands on.
■ noun
1》 an act of ~ing.
↘the fact or condition of being ~ed.
↘the capacity to ~ or be ~ed; elasticity.
2》 a continuous expanse or period.
↘ informal a period of time spent in prison.
↘ chiefly N. Amer. a straight part of a racetrack, typically the home straight.
↘ Sailing the distance covered on one tack.
3》 [usu. as modifier ] informal a motor vehicle or aircraft modified so as to have extended seating or storage capacity.
4》 informal a difficult or demanding task.
Phrases
at full ~ using the maximum amount of one's resources or energy.
at a ~
1》 in one continuous period.
2》 just possible but with difficulty.
~ one's legs go for a short walk, typically after sitting for some time.
~ a point allow or do something not usually acceptable.
Derivatives
~ability noun
~able adjective
~iness noun
~y adjective
Origin
OE streccan , of W. Gmc origin.