Related Searches
on Ask.com
Browse Nearby Entries
dilate
8 dictionary results for: dilate
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
di·late 
[dahy-leyt, di-, dahy-leyt] Pronunciation Key verb, -lat·ed, -lat·ing.
[dahy-leyt, di-, dahy-leyt] Pronunciation Key verb, -lat·ed, -lat·ing. –verb (used with object)
–verb (used without object)
| 1. | to make wider or larger; cause to expand. |
| 2. | Archaic. to describe or develop at length. |
| 3. | to spread out; expand. |
| 4. | to speak or write at length; expatiate (often fol. by on or upon). |
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| di·late
(dī-lāt', dī'lāt') Pronunciation Key
v. di·lat·ed, di·lat·ing, di·lates v. tr. To make wider or larger; cause to expand. v. intr.
[Middle English dilaten, from Old French dilater, from Latin dīlātāre, to enlarge : dī-, dis-, apart; see dis- + lātus, wide.] di·lat'a·bil'i·ty n., di·lat'a·ble adj., di·lat'a·bly adv., di·la'tive adj. |
(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
dilate
dilate
1393, from O.Fr. dilater, from L. dilatare "make wider, enlarge," from dis- "apart" + latus "wide" (see latitude)
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| dilate | |
verb | |
| 1. | become wider; "His pupils were dilated" |
| 2. | add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing; "She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation" [syn: elaborate] [ant: abbreviate] |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
dilate di·late (dī-lāt', dī'lāt')
v. di·lat·ed, di·lat·ing, di·lates
To make or become wider or larger.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Dilate
Di*late"\ (?; 277), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Dilated; p. pr. & vb. n. Dilating.] [L. dilatare; either fr. di- = dis- + latus wide, not the same word as latus, used as p. p. of ferre to bear (see Latitude); or fr. dilatus, used as p. p. of differre to separate (see Delay, Tolerate, Differ, and cf. Dilatory): cf. F. dilater.]1. To expand; to distend; to enlarge or extend in all directions; to swell; -- opposed to contract; as, the air dilates the lungs; air is dilated by increase of heat. 2. To enlarge upon; to relate at large; to tell copiously or diffusely. [R.] Do me the favor to dilate at full What hath befallen of them and thee till now. --Shak. Syn: To expand; swell; distend; enlarge; spread out; amplify; expatiate.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Dilate
Di*late"\, v. i. 1. To grow wide; to expand; to swell or extend in all directions. His heart dilates and glories in his strength. --Addison. 2. To speak largely and copiously; to dwell in narration; to enlarge; -- with on or upon. But still on their ancient joys dilate. --Crabbe.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Dilate
Di*late"\, a. Extensive; expanded. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Share This:
Copyright © 2008, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.