Di*late" (?; 277), v. t. [imp.
& p. p. Dilated (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. Dilating (?).] [L. dilatare; either fr.
di- = dis- + latus wide, not the same word as
latus, used as p. p. of ferre to bear (see
Latitude); or fr. dilatus, used as p. p. of
differre to separate (see Delay, Tolerate,
Differ, and cf. Dilatory): cf. F. dilater.]
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.
Di*late", v. i. 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.
Di*late", a. Extensive;
expanded. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
