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View synonyms for dilate

dilate

[ dahy-leyt, dih-, dahy-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, di·lat·ed, di·lat·ing.
  1. to make wider or larger; cause to expand.
  2. Archaic. to describe or develop at length.


verb (used without object)

, di·lat·ed, di·lat·ing.
  1. to spread out; expand.
  2. to speak or write at length; expatiate (often followed by on or upon ).

dilate

/ dɪ-; daɪˈleɪtɪv; ˌdɪ-; ˌdaɪləˈteɪʃən; daɪˈleɪt; dɪ- /

verb

  1. to expand or cause to expand; make or become wider or larger

    the pupil of the eye dilates in the dark

  2. intr; often foll by on or upon to speak or write at length; expand or enlarge


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Derived Forms

  • diˈlatable, adjective
  • dilative, adjective
  • diˌlataˈbility, noun
  • diˈlation, noun
  • ˌdilaˈtational, adjective

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Other Words From

  • di·lata·bili·ty noun
  • di·lata·ble adjective
  • nondi·lata·bili·ty noun
  • nondi·lata·ble adjective
  • over·di·late verb overdilated overdilating
  • redi·late verb redilated redilating
  • self-di·lated adjective
  • subdi·lated adjective
  • undi·lata·ble adjective
  • undi·lated adjective
  • undi·lating adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of dilate1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English dilaten, from Middle French dilater, “to comment at length, enlarge,” from Latin dīlātāre “to spread out, widen,” equivalent to dī- di- 2 + lāt(us) “wide” + -āre infinitive suffix

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Word History and Origins

Origin of dilate1

C14: from Latin dīlātāre to spread out, amplify, from dis- apart + lātus wide

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Synonym Study

See expand.

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Example Sentences

In response, it dilates the blood vessels near the surface of our skin, allowing the blood to release more heat into the surrounding air.

It can also dilate its nostrils to boost its trunk’s carrying capacity while snorting up water, researchers report online June 2 in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.

For instance, CGRP causes blood vessels to dilate in a variety of systems including the intestines.

Heat dilates blood vessels that surround the lumbar region of your spine, increasing the flow of oxygen to your back muscles and stimulating sensory receptors in your skin to help heal damaged tissue and relieve discomfort.

With close attention, our pupils dilate and contract over and over.

This will make your pupils dilate, making you more attractive.

Kettlewell used to dilate on the great sacrificial feast of charity.

Another room had been added to the cabin—and the fragrant smell of cedar made her nostrils dilate.

In that September morning his soul seemed to dilate with every breath he drew.

Little need to dilate on the situation as it appeared to Mrs Iver!

Frequently the nerves dilate the blood vessels of the skin, thus helping the sweat glands to secrete, by giving them more blood.

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