Dilate — Defs

01 v. t. To expand; to distend; to enlarge or extend in all directions; to swell; -- opposed to contract; as, the air dilates the lungs; air is dila…

imp. & p. p. Dilated; p. pr. & vb. n. Dilating

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.

02 v. i. To grow wide; to expand; to swell or extend in all directions.

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.

03 a. Extensive; expanded.