expatiate

American  

[ik-spey-shee-eyt] / ɪkˈspeɪ ʃiˌeɪt /

verb (used without object)

expatiated, expatiating

1. to enlarge in discourse or writing; be copious in description or discussion.

   to expatiate upon a theme.

2. Archaic. to move or wander about intellectually, imaginatively, etc., without restraint.

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expatiate British  

/ ɪkˈspeɪʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to enlarge (on a theme, topic, etc) at length or in detail; elaborate (on)

2. rare to wander about

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Other Word Forms

• expatiation
  noun
• expatiator
  noun

Etymology

Origin of expatiate

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin expatiātus, past participle of ex(s)patiārī “to wander, digress,” equivalent to ex- “from, out of, beyond” + spatiārī “to walk about,” derivative of spatium “area, space, playing field, racetrack”; see -ate ¹

Explanation

The verb expatiate means "to add details to in order to clear up." If your story is confusing to everyone who hears it, certain key parts must be missing. Better expatiate so that people can understand it. To pronounce expatiate correctly, accent the second syllable: "ex-PAY-she-ate." When you expatiate on a piece of writing, you add details. The goal is to make your ideas clearer to readers, perhaps by offering an example to help them understand. Teachers can tell when you are expatiating and when you are just adding to what you've written, say, to reach a certain length requirement. That's usually called "padding."

Example Sentences

Expatiate, eks-pā′shi-āt, v.i. to range at large: to enlarge in discourse, argument, or writing.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Expatiate free o'er all this scene of man; A mighty maze! but not without a plan.

From Familiar Quotations by Bartlett, John

Nor always city-pent or pent at home 50 I dwell, but when Spring calls me forth to roam Expatiate in our proud suburban shades Of branching elm that never sun pervades.

From Poemata : Latin, Greek and Italian Poems by John Milton by Cowper, William

Hence arises consolation to old maidens, and cautions against precipitation— Expatiate, my dear, on this fruitful subject: I would, were I at leisure.

From The History of Sir Charles Grandison, Volume 4 (of 7) by Richardson, Samuel

At first, the poet and his friend, Expatiate freely o’er this scene of man, A mighty maze of walks without a plan.

From The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D. in Nine Volumes Volume the Eighth: The Lives of the Poets, Volume II by Johnson, Samuel