— expandable, expandible , adj. — expandability, expandibility , n.
/ik spand"/ , v.t.
1. to increase in extent, size, volume, scope, etc.: Heat expands most metals. He hopes to expand his company.
2. to spread or stretch out; unfold: A bird expands its wings.
3. to express in fuller form or greater detail; develop: to expand a short story into a novel.
4. Math.
a. to write (a mathematical expression) so as to show the products of its factors. Cf. factor (def. 10).
b. to rewrite (a mathematical expression) as a sum, product, etc., of terms of a particular kind: to expand a function in a power series.
v.i.
5. to increase or grow in extent, bulk, scope, etc.: Most metals expand with heat. The mind expands with experience.
6. to spread out; unfold; develop: The buds had not yet expanded.
7. to express something more fully or in greater detail (usually fol. by on or upon ): to expand on a statement.
[ 1400-50; late ME expanden expandere to spread out, equiv. to ex- EX- 1 + pandere to extend, stretch ]
Syn. 1. extend, swell, enlarge. See increase . EXPAND, DILATE, DISTEND, INFLATE imply becoming larger and filling more space. TO EXPAND is to spread out, usually in every direction: to expand one's chest. TO DILATE is esp. to increase the width or circumference, and applies to space enclosed within confines or to hollow bodies: to dilate the pupils of the eyes. TO DISTEND is to stretch, often beyond the point of natural expansion: to distend an artery. TO INFLATE is to blow out or swell a hollow body with air or gas: to inflate a balloon.