dilatation

[ dil-uh-tey-shuhn, dahy-luh- ]

noun

1. a dilated formation or part.
2. Pathology. an abnormal enlargement of an aperture or a canal of the body.
3. Surgery.
   1. an enlargement made in a body aperture or canal for surgical or medical treatment.
   2. a restoration to normal patency of an abnormally small body opening or passageway, as of the anus or esophagus.
4. Mechanics. the increase in volume per unit volume of a homogeneous substance.

Other Words From

• dila·tation·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilatation¹

1350–1400; Middle English (< Old French ) < Latin dīlātātiōn- (stem of dīlātātiō ), equivalent to dīlātāt ( us ) spread out (past participle of dīlātāre to dilate ) + iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

In rare cases, the stomach can expand to a dangerous size, known as acute gastric dilatation.

From Washington Post

The major disease threatening captive Spix’s was proventricular dilatation disease, which affects the nerves in parrots’ gastrointestinal tract and causes them to slowly waste away.

From Science Magazine

In another report, research showed that women who ate six dates for four weeks before their due date had significantly higher cervical dilatation upon admission compared with the non-date fruit eaters.

From Fox News

The women allege hidden cameras filmed approximately 1,800 patients undergoing medical procedures — including births, dilatation and curettage to resolve miscarriages, and hysterectomies.

From Los Angeles Times

It is characterised by recurrent attacks of fever of short duration … and followed generally by acute pain in the shins and frequently by dilatation and disordered action of the heart.

From Nature

Related Words

• delay
• development
• expansion
• increase
• postponement