'Dilate' definitions:

Definition of 'dilate'

From: WordNet
verb
Become wider; "His pupils were dilated" [syn: dilate, distend]
verb
Add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing; "She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation" [syn: elaborate, lucubrate, expatiate, exposit, enlarge, flesh out, expand, expound, dilate] [ant: abbreviate, abridge, contract, cut, foreshorten, reduce, shorten]

Definition of 'Dilate'

From: GCIDE
  • Dilate \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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To enlarge upon; to relate at large; to tell copiously or diffusely. [R.] [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Dilate'

From: GCIDE
  • Dilate \Di*late"\, v. i.
  • 1. To grow wide; to expand; to swell or extend in all directions. [1913 Webster]
  • His heart dilates and glories in his strength. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To speak largely and copiously; to dwell in narration; to enlarge; -- with on or upon. [1913 Webster]
  • But still on their ancient joys dilate. --Crabbe. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Dilate'

From: GCIDE
  • Dilate \Di*late"\, a. Extensive; expanded. [Obs.] --B. Jonson. [1913 Webster]