Enlarge dictionary definition | enlarge defined

enlarge

[en lärj′, in-]

Use enlarge in a sentence

transitive verb

enlarged, enlarging

to make larger; increase in size, volume, extent, etc.; broaden; expand
Photog. to reproduce on a larger scale

Origin of enlarge

Middle English enlargen ; from Old French enlargier: see en- and amp; large

intransitive verb

to become larger; increase in size, extent, etc.; expand
to speak or write at greater length or in greater detail; expatiate (on or upon)

Related Forms:

enlarger
noun

enlarge

verb

en·larged, en·larg·ing, en·larg·es

verb

, transitive

To make larger in size.
To make larger in scope or effect; expand: enlarge our understanding of comets. See Synonyms at increase.

verb

, intransitive

To become larger; grow or swell.
To speak or write at greater length or in greater detail; elaborate: enlarged upon the plan.

Origin of enlarge

Middle English enlargen, from Old French enlargier : en-, causative pref.; see en–¹ + large, large; see large.

Related Forms:

en·larg′er
noun

enlarge

Verb

(third-person singular simple present enlarges, present participle enlarging, simple past and past participle enlarged)

To make larger.
To increase the capacity of; to expand; to give free scope or greater scope to; also, to dilate, as with joy, affection, etc.
Knowledge enlarges the mind.
(intransitive) To speak at length upon or on (some subject)
(archaic) To release; to set at large.
(nautical) To get more astern or parallel with the vessel's course; to draw aft; said of the wind.

Anagrams

Origin

From Old French enlarger.

enlarge - Legal Definition

v

To make greater in size, extend; to free from detention.

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Sentence Examples

She had to buy new bras as her breasts began to enlarge, and headaches were a daily thing now.
Cut a few trails, clear around the pool of water - maybe enlarge it and get some ducks.
On the 2nd of May 1422 Henry V., in right of the duchy of Lancaster, " hearing that Chicheley inflamed by the pious fervour of devotion intended to enlarge divine service and other works of piety at Higham Ferrers, in consideration of his fruitful services, often crossing the seas, yielding to no toils, dangers or expenses.
Fourth, monarchs have regarded war as a legitimate means to expand their tax base, which historically they used to enlarge their armies, which were then used to wage war to expand their tax base, which they then used to enlarge their armies, ad infinitum.
He made no advances whatever; appeared to have no desire to enlarge the circle of his acquaintances.

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We think ourselves possessed, or, at least, we boast that we are so, of liberty of conscience on all subjects, and of the right of free inquiry and private judgment in all cases, and yet how far are we from these exalted privileges in fact! There exists, I believe, throughout the whole Christian world, a law which makes it blasphemy to deny or doubt the divine inspiration of all the books of the Old and New Testaments, from Genesis to Revelations. In most countries of Europe it is punished by fire at the stake, or the rack, or the wheel. In England itself it is punished by boring through the tongue with a poker. In America it is not better; even in our own Massachusetts, which I believe, upon the whole, is as temperate and moderate in religious zeal as most of the States, a law was made in the latter end of the last century, repealing the cruel punishments of the former laws, but substituting fine and imprisonment upon all those blasphemers upon any book of the Old Testament or New. Now, what free inquiry, when a writer must surely encounter the risk of fine or imprisonment for adducing any argument for investigating into the divine authority of those books? Who would run the risk of translating Dupuis? But I cannot enlarge upon this subject, though I have it much at heart. I think such laws a great embarrassment, great obstructions to the improvement of the human mind. Books that cannot bear examination, certainly ought not to be established as divine inspiration by penal laws. It is true, few persons appear desirous to put such laws in execution, and it is also true that some few persons are hardy enough to venture to depart from them. But as long as they continue in force as laws, the human mind must make an awkward and clumsy progress in its investigations. I wish they were repealed. The substance and essence of Christianity, as I understand it, is eternal and unchangeable, and will bear examination forever, but it has been mixed with extraneous ingredients, which I think will not bear examination, and they ought to be separated. John Adams