— dilatancy , n.
/di layt"nt, duy-/ , adj.
1. dilating; expanding.
2. Physical Chem. exhibiting an increase in volume on being changed in shape, owing to a wider spacing between particles.
3. Petrol. (of rock) exhibiting an increase in volume owing to rearrangement and recrystallization of constituent grains.
[ 1835-45; dilatant- (s. of dilatans ), prp. of dilatare to DILATE; see -ANT ]