dilate

[ dahy-leyt, dih-, dahy-leyt ]

verb (used with object)

, di·lat·ed, di·lat·ing.

1. to make wider or larger; cause to expand.
2. Archaic. to describe or develop at length.

verb (used without object)

, di·lat·ed, di·lat·ing.

1. to spread out; expand.
2. to speak or write at length; expatiate (often followed by on or upon ).

dilate

/ ˌdaɪləˈteɪʃən; ˌdɪ-; daɪˈleɪt; dɪ-; daɪˈleɪtɪv; dɪ- /

verb

1. to expand or cause to expand; make or become wider or larger

   the pupil of the eye dilates in the dark

2. intr; often foll by on or upon to speak or write at length; expand or enlarge

Derived Forms

• diˈlation, noun
• ˌdilaˈtational, adjective
• diˈlatable, adjective
• diˌlataˈbility, noun
• dilative, adjective

Other Words From

• di·lata·bili·ty noun
• di·lata·ble adjective
• nondi·lata·bili·ty noun
• nondi·lata·ble adjective
• over·di·late verb overdilated overdilating
• redi·late verb redilated redilating
• self-di·lated adjective
• subdi·lated adjective
• undi·lata·ble adjective
• undi·lated adjective
• undi·lating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilate¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English dilaten, from Middle French dilater, “to comment at length, enlarge,” from Latin dīlātāre “to spread out, widen,” equivalent to dī- di- ² + lāt(us) “wide” + -āre infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilate¹

C14: from Latin dīlātāre to spread out, amplify, from dis- apart + lātus wide

Synonym Study

See expand.

Example Sentences

The pair made up soon afterwards even though the punch had permanently damaged the pupil in Bowie's left eye, meaning it would no longer dilate even in bright lights, giving it the impression of being a different colour from his right eye.

From BBC

However, in their new study published in the peer-reviewed journal Attention, Perception & Psychophysics, the researchers reported that a person's pupils also dilate when they are concentrating on tasks.

From Science Daily

As a result, blood flow to that area increases dramatically as blood vessels dilate, causing pain and swelling.

From National Geographic

A typical remedy is to stretch or dilate the urethra, a minimally invasive procedure that is often performed with general anesthesia, Dr. Lepor said.

From New York Times

Longer-term use of a catheter would only be needed if doctors were unable to sufficiently dilate the urethra.

From New York Times

Related Words

• expound