v.
Pronunciation: ik- ' stend
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French estendre, from Latin extendere, from ex- + tendere to stretch ― more at THIN
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to spread or stretch forth : UNBEND < extend 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 extend himself> d (1) : to increase the bulk of (as by adding a cheaper substance or a modifier) (2) : ADULTERATE
3 [ Middle English, from Medieval Latin extendere (fr. L) or Anglo-French estendre, from Old French] a British : to take possession of (as lands) by a writ of extent b obsolete : to take by force
4 a : to make the offer of : PROFFER < extend ing aid to the needy> < extend ing their greetings> b : to make available < extend ing credit to customers>
5 a : to cause to reach (as in distance or scope) <national authority was extend ed over new territories> b : to cause to be longer : PROLONG < extend the side of a triangle> < extend ed their visit another day> also : to prolong the time of payment of c : ADVANCE , FURTHER < extend ing her potential through job training>
6 a : to cause to be of greater area or volume : ENLARGE < extend ed the patio to the back of the house> b : to increase the scope, meaning, or application of : BROADEN <beauty, I suppose, opens the heart, extend s the consciousness ― Algernon Blackwood> c archaic : EXAGGERATE
intransitive verb
1 : to stretch out in distance, space, or time : REACH <their jurisdiction extend ed over the whole area>
2 : to reach in scope or application <his concern extend s beyond mere business to real service to his customers>
– ex · tend · abil · i · ty \ - ˌ sten-d ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– ex · tend · able also ex · tend · ible \ - ' sten-d ə -b ə l \ adjective
synonyms 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 especially beyond usual limits < prolonged illness>. PROTRACT adds to PROLONG implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness < protracted litigation>.