EXPAND • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Expand

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/ɪkspˈænd/ Listen

verb

Expand v. t. (past & past part. expanded; pres. part. expanding)

To lay open by extending; to open wide; to spread out; to diffuse; as, a flower expands its leaves. "Then with expanded wings he steers his flight."

To cause the particles or parts of to spread themselves or stand apart, thus increasing bulk without addition of substance; to make to occupy more space; to dilate; to distend; to extend every way; to enlarge; opposed to contract; as, to expand the chest; heat expands all bodies; to expand the sphere of benevolence.

(Math.) To state in enlarged form; to develop; as, to expand an equation. See Expansion, 5.

Expand v. i. To become widely opened, spread apart, dilated, distended, or enlarged; as, flowers expand in the spring; metals expand by heat; the heart expands with joy.

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Etymology of 'Expand'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Expand" Quotes from Famous Books

... place in the sun which he coveted. In the ages since then his lust has changed its form: now it is economic privilege that he seeks for his people. In order to maintain that level of industrial superiority, of material prosperity, to which he has raised himself, he must "expand" in trade and influence. He must have more markets to exploit and always more. It is the same lust with a new name. "Thou shalt not covet" surely was written for nations as well as for individuals. But our modern economic theory, the modern ...

— The World Decision • Robert Herrick

... replied Magdalena, hastily, "I really know very little; I wish I knew more." She hesitated a moment; it was difficult for her to expand even to the playmate of her childhood, but an alluring prospect had suddenly opened. "Of course you will have a great deal of leisure this summer," she ...

— The Californians • Gertrude Franklin Horn Atherton

... all practically the same. The unity which Paul would fain see, is far deeper and more vital than mere unanimity of opinion, or identity of polity, or co-operation in practice. The clauses which expand it guard us against the mistake of thinking that intellectual or practical oneness is all that is meant by Christian unity. They are 'of the same mind,' who have the same wishes, aims, outlooks, the same hopes ...

— Expositions Of Holy Scripture - Volume I: St. Luke, Chaps. I to XII • Alexander Maclaren

... the heart is wounded seriously. Death is also caused by disease or injury of the brain. For the brain is the origin of the nerves which control the voluntary activities by means of contraction and expansion. If the chest does not contract, the warm air does not come out; if it does not expand, the cold air does not come in; and if the air does not come in or out, the heart loses its proportionality, and the animal dies. The functions of the animal soul are sensation and motion. This motion may be active as well as passive. The active motions are ...

— A History of Mediaeval Jewish Philosophy • Isaac Husik

... thing as that. Gaston had sworn it, but it was incomprehensible. However, it led the new-born imagination to expand and wander, and when Joyce was at peace, and the sun shone, she went to that ...

— Joyce of the North Woods • Harriet T. Comstock

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