[ik-spans] 
| 1. | an uninterrupted space or area; a wide extent of anything: an expanse of water. |
| 2. | something that is spread out, esp. over a relatively large area: that great expanse, the sky. |
| 3. | expansion; extension: the wide expanse of scientific knowledge. |
| ex·panse (ĭk-spāns') n.
[Latin expānsum, from neuter past participle of expandere, to spread out; see expand.] |
