dilate Hear it!

dilate definition

di·late (lāt′; dī lāt, də-)

transitive verb dilated -·lat′ed, dilating -·lat′·ing

to make wider or larger; cause to expand or swell; stretch

Etymology: ME dilaten < L dilatare < dis-, apart + latus, wide: see lateral

intransitive verb

  1. to become wider or larger; swell
  2. to speak or write in detail (on or upon a subject)

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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