stretch

stretch
I. verb Etymology: Middle English strecchen, from Old English streccan; akin to Old High German strecchan to stretch, Old English stræc firm, severe Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. to extend (as one's limbs or body) in a reclining position 2. to reach out ; extend <
stretched out her arms
>
3. to extend in length <
stretched his neck to see what was going on
>
4. to fell with or as if with a blow 5. to cause the limbs of (a person) to be pulled especially in torture 6. to draw up (one's body) from a cramped, stooping, or relaxed position 7. to pull taut <
canvas stretched on a frame
>
8. a. to enlarge or distend especially by force b. to extend or expand as if by physical force <
stretch one's mind with a good book
>
c. strain <
stretched his already thin patience
>
9. to cause to reach or continue (as from one point to another or across a space) <
stretch a wire between two posts
>
10. a. to amplify or enlarge beyond natural or proper limits <
the rules can be stretched this once
>
b. to expand (as by improvisation) to fulfill a larger function <
stretching a dollar
>
11. to extend (a hit) to an extra base usually by fast or daring running <
stretch a single into a double
>
intransitive verb 1. a. to become extended in length or breadth or both ; spread <
broad plains stretching to the sea
>
b. to extend over a continuous period <
the dynasty stretches back several centuries
>
2. to become extended without breaking 3. a. to extend one's body or limbs <
stretched before jogging
>
<
wanted to stretch out on the sofa
>
b. to lie down at full length • stretchability nounstretchable adjectivestretchy adjective II. noun Date: 1541 1. a. an exercise of something (as the understanding or the imagination) beyond ordinary or normal limits <
their conclusion seemed like a bit of a stretch
>
b. an extension of the scope or application of something <
a stretch of language
>
2. the extent to which something may be stretched 3. a. the act of stretching ; the state of being stretched <
a good stretch for legs
>
b. the position of a pitcher standing sideways to home plate so as to keep a runner close to a base <
pitching from the stretch
>
4. a. an extent in length or area <
an open stretch of road
>
b. a continuous period of time <
can write for eight hours at a stretch
>
5. a walk to relieve fatigue 6. a term of imprisonment <
served a 10-year stretch
>
7. a. either of the straight sides of a racecourse; especially homestretch b. a final stage (as of a contest or season) <
won some crucial games down the stretch
>
8. the capacity for being stretched ; elasticity <
a waistband with lots of stretch
>
9. a stretch limousine III. adjective Date: 1954 1. easily stretched ; elastic <
a stretch wig
>
2. longer than the standard size <
a stretch limousine
>

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • stretch — [stretʆ] verb 1. [transitive] FINANCE if something stretches an amount of money or a supply of something, it uses it up so you have hardly enough for your needs: • Our finances are stretched to the limit. 2. [intransitive, transitive] FINAN …   Financial and business terms

  • stretch — [ strɛtʃ ] n. m. • 1963; n. déposé , mot angl., de to stretch « allonger, étendre » ♦ Anglic. Techn. Procédé de traitement des tissus les rendant élastiques dans le sens horizontal. ♢ Par ext. Le tissu ainsi traité. Du stretch. Des stretchs. Par… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Stretch — Stretch, n. 1. Act of stretching, or state of being stretched; reach; effort; struggle; strain; as, a stretch of the limbs; a stretch of the imagination. [1913 Webster] By stretch of arms the distant shore to gain. Dryden. [1913 Webster] Those… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Stretch — can refer to: *Stretching is a form of exercise or a pre exercise discipline, sometimes called Warming up *Stretch ceiling, a type of ceiling made from polymer. *Stretch ratio in the mechanics of materials *Stretched tuning of certain string… …   Wikipedia

  • stretch — ► VERB 1) (of something soft or elastic) be made or be able to be made longer or wider without tearing or breaking. 2) pull (something) tightly from one point to another. 3) extend one s body or a part of one s body to its full length. 4) last… …   English terms dictionary

  • stretch — [strech] vt. [ME strecchen < OE streccan, akin to Ger strecken < IE * sterg < base * (s)ter , to be stiff, rigid > STARE] 1. to hold out or reach out; extend [to stretch out a helping hand] 2. to cause (the body or limbs) to reach out …   English World dictionary

  • Stretch — Stretch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Stretched}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Stretching}.] [OE. strecchen, AS. streccan; akin to D. strekken, G. strecken, OHG. strecchen, Sw. str[ a]cka, Dan. str[ae]kke; cf. AS. str[ae]ck, strec, strong, violent, G. strack… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Stretch — 〈[ strɛ̣tʃ] m.; ; unz.〉 elastische Wirkware (BaumwollStretch, NylonStretch) [zu engl. stretch „dehnen“ <aengl. steccan; verwandt mit strecken] * * * Stretch [strɛt̮ʃ], der; [e]s, es [ strɛt̮ʃɪs] [zu engl. to stretch = dehnen]: sehr elastisches …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Stretch — (engl. für „Strecke“, „Zeitraum“ aber auch „Ausdehnung“) steht für: Stretch (Unternehmen), ein US amerikanischer Halbleiterhersteller mit Niederlassungen in Japan und Deutschland Stretch (Band), eine britische Bluesrock Band, 1973 78 Ein… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • stretch — stretch; stretch·abil·i·ty; stretch·able; stretch·berry; stretch·er; un·stretch; …   English syllables

  • Stretch — Stretch, v. i. 1. 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. [1913 Webster] As far as stretcheth any ground …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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