vi to become expanded or inflated; to swell.
2. distend ·vt to extend in some one direction; to lengthen out; to stretch.
3. distend ·vt to stretch out or extend in all directions; to dilate; to enlarge, as by elasticity of parts; to inflate so as to produce tension; to cause to swell; as, to distend a bladder, the stomach, ·etc.