En*large" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Enlarged (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Enlarging (?).] [OF. enlargier; pref. en- (L.
in) + F. large wide. See Large.]
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.
Enlarging hammer, a hammer with a slightly
rounded face of large diameter; -- used by gold beaters.
Knight. -- To enlarge an order or
rule (Law), to extend the time for complying
with it. Abbott. -- To enlarge one's
self, to give free vent to speech; to spread out
discourse. "They enlarged themselves on this subject."
Clarendon. -- To enlarge the heart, to
make free, liberal, and charitable.
Syn. -- To increase; extend; expand; spread; amplify;
augment; magnify. See Increase.
En*large", v. i. 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. (Naut.) To get more astern or
parallel with the vessel's course; to draw aft; -- said of the
wind.
