distended

[ dih-sten-did ]

adjective

1. increased, as in size, volume, etc.; expanded; dilated:

   the distended nostrils of the terrified horse.

2. swollen, by or as by internal pressure, out of normal size or shape; protuberant:

   distended wineskins; the distended arteries of his neck.

Other Words From

• dis·tended·ly adverb
• dis·tended·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of distended¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; distend + -ed ²

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