noun the extent to which anything may be stretched.
2. stretch ·noun course; direction; as, the stretch of seams of coal.
3. stretch ·vt to reach out; to extend; to put forth.
4. stretch ·vt to make tense; to tighten; to distend forcibly.
5. stretch ·noun the reach or extent of a vessel's progress on one tack; a tack or board.
6. stretch ·vi to sail by the wind under press of canvas; as, the ship stretched to the eastward.
7. stretch ·noun a continuous line or surface; a continuous space of time; as, grassy stretches of land.
8. stretch ·vi to extend or spread one's self, or one's limbs; as, the lazy man yawns and stretches.
9. stretch ·vi to be extended, or to bear extension, without breaking, as elastic or ductile substances.
10. stretch ·vt to draw out to the full length; to cause to extend in a straight line; as, to stretch a cord or rope.
11. stretch ·vt to exaggerate; to extend too far; as, to stretch the truth; to stretch one's credit.
12. stretch ·vt to draw or pull out to greater length; to strain; as, to stretch a tendon or muscle.
13. stretch ·vi to strain the truth; to exaggerate; as, a man apt to stretch in his report of facts.
14. stretch ·noun act of stretching, or state of being stretched; reach; effort; struggle; strain; as, a stretch of the limbs; a stretch of the imagination.
15. stretch ·vt to cause to extend in breadth; to spread; to expand; as, to stretch cloth; to stretch the wings.
xvi. stretch ·vi to be extended; to be drawn out in length or in breadth, or both; to spread; to reach; as, the iron road stretches across the continent; the lake stretches over fifty square miles.