Distending

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Distend \Dis*tend"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Distended}; p. pr. &
     vb. n. {Distending}.] [L. distendere, distentum, distensum;
     dis- + tendere to stretch, stretch out: cf. F. distendre to
     distend, d['e]tendre to unbend. See {Tend}, and cf.
     {Detent}.]
     1. To extend in some one direction; to lengthen out; to


        stretch. [R.]
        [1913 Webster]
  
              But say, what mean those colored streaks in heaven
              Distended as the brow of God appeased? --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To stretch out or extend in all directions; to dilate; to
        enlarge, as by elasticity of parts; to inflate so as to
        produce tension; to cause to swell; as, to distend a
        bladder, the stomach, etc.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The warmth distends the chinks.       --Dryden.
  
     Syn: To dilate; expand; enlarge; swell; inflate.
          [1913 Webster]