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distend

 - 4 dictionary results

dis⋅tend

  [di-stend]
Use distend in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
1. to expand by stretching, as something hollow or elastic: Habitual overeating had distended his stomach.
2. to spread in all directions; expand; swell: The sea distended about them.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME (< AF destendre) < L distendere, equiv. to dis- dis- 1 + tendere to stretch

Related forms:
dis⋅tend⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
1. See expand. 1, 2. enlarge, bloat.

Antonyms:
1, 2. shrink, contract.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To distend
dis·tend   (dĭ-stěnd')   
v.   dis·tend·ed, dis·tend·ing, dis·tends

v.   intr.
To swell out or expand from or as if from internal pressure.
v.   tr.

  1. To cause to expand by or as if by internal pressure; dilate.

  2. To extend.


[Middle English distenden, from Latin distendere : dis-, dis- + tendere, to stretch; see ten- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: dis·tend
Pronunciation: dis-'tend
Function: transitive verb
: to enlarge or stretch out (as from internal pressure)<distended veins> distend intransitive senses
: to become expanded
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

distend di·stend (dĭ-stěnd')
v. dis·tend·ed, dis·tend·ing, dis·tends
To swell out or expand or cause to swell out or expand from or as if from internal pressure.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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