distent

[ dih-stent ]

adjective

, Obsolete.

1. distended.

Word History and Origins

Origin of distent¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin distentus distended (variant of distēnsus, past participle of distendere “to stretch out, distend”; distend )

Example Sentences

I. Comödie.531.“Non ignoro,” says Salmasius, in his Notes to Vopiscus’ Life of Aurelian, “quid distent Atellanæ et Mimi; recentiores, tamen, confudisse videntur.”

From Project Gutenberg

“Illorum librorum,” says Niccolo Niccoli, speaking of some of the works of Cicero, “magna pars interierit, hi vero qui supersunt adeo mendosi sunt, ut paulo ab interitu distent;” hence, in the middle of the fifteenth century, the discovery of a new MS. of Cicero was hailed as a new acquisition.

From Project Gutenberg

The golden sash about his body Could scarce keep in his swollen belly Distent with honey-suckle jelly.

From Project Gutenberg

Jesuit Edmund Campion was "cruelly distent" on the rack, and his fingernails were pulled out before he was executed.

From Time Magazine Archive

And whether the sea was rough or calm, and whether the wind was friendly or adverse, it would always glide smoothly and silently, its sails distent and its long strange tiers of oars moving rhythmically.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bloated
• inflamed
• inflated