English Explanatory Dictionary

dilate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To enlarge; to make bigger.
  2. To become wider or larger; to expand.
  3. To speak largely and copiously; to dwell in narration; to enlarge; with "on" or "upon".
  4. To use a dilator to widen (something, such as a vagina).
verb
  1. To delay, defer.
  2. To prolong, lengthen.
adj
  1. Carried in different ways, spread, abroad, dispersed, published.

Pronunciation

/daɪˈleɪt/ /ˈdaɪ.leɪt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-dilate.wav

Word forms

dilate dilates dilating dilated delate deleate dylate more dilate most dilate

Etymology

First attested in 1393, in Middle English; inherited from Middle English dilaten, from Old French dilater, from Latin dīlātō (“to spread out”), from dī- + lātus (“wide”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix). Doublet of dilatate.

Antonyms

contract

Related words

dilute

Derived words

bronchodilate dilatability dilatable dilatancy dilatative dilatingly dilation dilative dilatometer dilatometry dilaton nondilating postdilate predilate redilate undilating vasodilate
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