expand
[ ik-spand ]
/ ɪkˈspænd /
verb (used with object)
to increase in extent, size, volume, scope, etc.: Heat expands most metals. He hopes to expand his company.
to spread or stretch out; unfold: A bird expands its wings.
to express in fuller form or greater detail; develop: to expand a short story into a novel.
Mathematics.
- to write (a mathematical expression) so as to show the products of its factors.Compare factor(def 10).
- to rewrite (a mathematical expression) as a sum, product, etc., of terms of a particular kind: to expand a function in a power series.
verb (used without object)
Origin of expand
1400–50; late Middle English
expanden < Latin
expandere to spread out, equivalent to
ex-
ex-1 +
pandere to extend, stretch
SYNONYMS FOR expand
1
extend,
swell,
enlarge. See
increase.
Expand,
dilate,
distend,
inflate imply becoming larger and filling more space.
To expand is to spread out, usually in every direction:
to expand one's chest.
To dilate is especially to increase the width or circumference, and applies to space enclosed within confines or to hollow bodies:
to dilate the pupils of the eyes.
To distend is to stretch, often beyond the point of natural expansion:
to distend an artery.
To inflate is to blow out or swell a hollow body with air or gas:
to inflate a balloon.
OTHER WORDS FROM expand
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH expand
expand expend (see synonym study at the current entry)Words nearby expand
exotoxic,
exotoxin,
exotropia,
exp,
exp.,
expand,
expanded,
expanded code,
expanded metal,
expanded plastic,
expander
Example sentences from the Web for expandable
The trooper reached with her right hand for her expandable baton.
The Muslim Convert Behind America’s First Workplace Beheading |Michael Daly |September 27, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
British Dictionary definitions for expandable
expand
/ (ɪkˈspænd) /
verb
to make or become greater in extent, volume, size, or scope; increase
to spread out or be spread out; unfold; stretch out
(intr often foll by on)
to enlarge or expatiate on (a story, topic, etc) in detail
(intr)
to become increasingly relaxed, friendly, or talkative
maths
to express (a function or expression) as the sum or product of terms
Derived forms of expand
expandable, adjectiveWord Origin for expand
C15: from Latin
expandere to spread out, from
pandere to spread, extend