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dilate
To dilate is defined as to expand and become wider.
(verb)An example of dilate is when your eyes become wide with excitement.
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See dilate in Webster's New World College Dictionary
transitive verb dilated, dilating
to make wider or larger; cause to expand or swell; stretch
Origin: ME dilaten < L dilatare < dis-, apart + latus, wide: see lateral
intransitive verb
- to become wider or larger; swell
- to speak or write in detail (on or upon a subject)
Related Forms:
- dilatability noun
- dilatable adjective
- dilative adjective
See dilate in American Heritage Dictionary 4
verb di·lat·ed, di·lat·ing, di·lates verb, transitive
To make wider or larger; cause to expand.
verb, intransitive- To become wider or larger; expand.
- To speak or write at great length on a subject; expatiate.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English dilaten
Origin: , from Old French dilater
Origin: , from Latin dīlātāre, to enlarge
Origin: : dī-, dis-, apart; see dis-
Origin: + lātus, wide
.Related Forms:
- di·latˌa·bilˈi·ty noun
- di·latˈa·ble adjective
- di·latˈa·bly adverb
- di·laˈtive adjective
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