dilate
[ dahy-leyt, dih-, dahy-leyt ]
/ daɪˈleɪt, dɪ-, ˈdaɪ leɪt /
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verb (used with object), di·lat·ed, di·lat·ing.
to make wider or larger; cause to expand.
Archaic. to describe or develop at length.
verb (used without object), di·lat·ed, di·lat·ing.
to spread out; expand.
to speak or write at length; expatiate (often followed by on or upon).
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QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
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Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Origin of dilate
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English dilaten, from Middle French dilater, “to comment at length, enlarge,” from Latin dīlātāre “to spread out, widen,” equivalent to dī- di-2 + lāt(us) “wide” + -āre infinitive suffix
synonym study for dilate
1. See expand.
OTHER WORDS FROM dilate
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH dilate
dilate , diluteWords nearby dilate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for dilate
British Dictionary definitions for dilate
dilate
/ (daɪˈleɪt, dɪ-) /
verb
to expand or cause to expand; make or become wider or largerthe pupil of the eye dilates in the dark
(intr; often foll by on or upon) to speak or write at length; expand or enlarge
Derived forms of dilate
Word Origin for dilate
C14: from Latin dīlātāre to spread out, amplify, from dis- apart + lātus wide
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for dilate
dilate
[ dī-lāt′, dī′lāt′ ]
v.
To make or become wider or larger.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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