distend

[ dih-stend ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to expand by stretching, as something hollow or elastic:

   Habitual overeating had distended his stomach.

   Synonyms: bloat, enlarge

   Antonyms: contract, shrink

2. to spread in all directions; expand; swell:

   The sea distended about them.

   Synonyms: bloat, enlarge

   Antonyms: contract, shrink

distend

/ dɪˈstɛnd /

verb

1. to expand or be expanded by or as if by pressure from within; swell; inflate
2. tr to stretch out or extend
3. tr to magnify in importance; exaggerate

Derived Forms

• disˈtension, noun
• disˌtensiˈbility, noun
• disˈtender, noun
• disˈtensible, adjective

Other Words From

• dis·tender noun
• over·dis·tend verb
• undis·tend verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of distend¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English distenden (from Anglo-French destendre ), from Latin distendere, equivalent to dis- dis- ¹ + tendere “to stretch”

Word History and Origins

Origin of distend¹

C14: from Latin distendere, from dis- ¹+ tendere to stretch

Synonym Study

See expand.

Example Sentences

His eye looked "very distended, swollen," he said.

From BBC

He still had the slightly distended belly and sagging skin which indicate malnutrition in children.

From BBC

Cardiac activity can influence auditory and visual perception, and touch and sensory perceptions have been shown to be impaired during the systolic phase of the cardiac cycle when blood vessels are briefly distended.

From Science Daily

He was severely jaundiced with a distended belly.

From BBC

His wizened arms and painfully distended stomach told the story.

From BBC