Enlarge — Defs

01 v. t. To make larger; to increase in quantity or dimensions; to extend in limits; to magnify; as, the body is enlarged by nutrition; to enlarge o…

imp. & p. p. Enlarged; p. pr. & vb. n. Enlarging

1.
To make larger; to increase in quantity or dimensions; to extend in limits; to magnify; as, the body is enlarged by nutrition; to enlarge one's house.
“To enlarge their possessions of land.” — Locke.
2.
To increase the capacity of; to expand; to give free scope or greater scope to; also, to dilate, as with joy, affection, and the like; as, knowledge enlarges the mind.
“O ye Corinthians, our . . . heart is enlarged.” — 2 Cor. vi. 11.
3.
To set at large or set free.[Archaic]
“It will enlarge us from all restraints.” — Barrow.

Phrases & compounds

Enlarging hammer — a hammer with a slightly rounded face of large diameter; -- used by gold beaters.

To enlarge an order — to extend the time for complying with it.

To enlarge one's self — to give free vent to speech; to spread out discourse.

To enlarge the heart — to make free, liberal, and charitable.

Syn. To increase; extend; expand; spread; amplify; augment; magnify. See Increase.

02 v. i. To grow large or larger; to be further extended; to expand; as, a plant enlarges by growth; an estate enlarges by good management; a volume…

1.
To grow large or larger; to be further extended; to expand; as, a plant enlarges by growth; an estate enlarges by good management; a volume of air enlarges by rarefaction.
2.
To speak or write at length; to be diffuse in speaking or writing; to expatiate; to dilate.
“To enlarge upon this theme.” — M. Arnold.
3.
To get more astern or parallel with the vessel's course; to draw aft; -- said of the wind.(Naut.)