ikˈstent, ek- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English extente, from Anglo-French & Middle French; Anglo-French estente, extente valuation, from Middle French, extension, area, land surveyal, from feminine of estent, extent, past participle of estendre, extendre to extend — more at extend
1.
a. archaic : valuation or assessment (as of land) in Great Britain especially when made for the purpose of taxation
an extent of the realm made on the king's behalf — R.H.I.Palgrave
also : an instance or record of such valuation or assessment
b. archaic : the value assigned by such an extent : assessed value
2. obsolete : the act of exercising (as justice) or showing (as courtesy)
the extent of equal justice — Shakespeare
3.
a. : seizure (as of land) in execution of a writ of extent in Great Britain or the condition of being so seized ; also : the right of making such an extent
b. : writ of extent
c. : a writ giving to a creditor temporary possession of his debtor's property (as lands)
4. obsolete : assault
this uncivil and unjust extent against thy peace — Shakespeare
5.
a.
(1) : the range (as of inclusiveness or application) over which something extends : scope , compass , comprehensiveness
within the extent of human knowledge
the extent of his authority
the extent of the law
(2) : the point or degree to which something extends
they spent money to the extent of $1500
: the limit to which something extends
exerting the full extent of his power
to a certain extent she was fond of him
b. : the amount of space which something occupies or the distance over which it extends : the length, width, height, thickness, diameter, circumference, or area of something : dimensions, proportions , size , magnitude , spread
a farm of considerable extent
the extent of a bird's wings
20 square miles in extent
c.
(1) : something that is extended especially in area : a usually level stretch or expanse
sailing over the vast extent of the sea
: an extended tract or region
the sloping extent of the forest
in the whole extent of France
(2) : denotation 4
Synonyms: see size