expand

verb Etymology: Middle English expaunden, from Latin expandere, from ex- + pandere to spread — more at fathom Date: 15th century transitive verb 1. to open up ; unfold 2. to increase the extent, number, volume, or scope of ; enlarge 3. a. to express at length or in greater detail b. to write out in full <

expand all abbreviations

> c. to subject to mathematical expansion <

expand a function in a power series

> intransitive verb 1. to open out ; spread 2. to increase in extent, number, volume, or scope 3. to speak or write fully or in detail <

expanded on the theme

> 4. to feel generous or optimistic • expandability noun • expandable adjective Synonyms: expand, amplify, swell, distend, inflate, dilate mean to increase in size or volume. expand may apply whether the increase comes from within or without and regardless of manner (as growth, unfolding, addition of parts) <

a business that expands every year

>. amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate <

amplify the statement with details

>. swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits <

the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions

> . distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within <

a distended abdomen

>. inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a resulting vulnerability and liability to sudden collapse <

an inflated ego

>. dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference <

dilated pupils

>.