dilation
[dahy-ley-shuh n, di-]
- the act of dilating; state of being dilated.
- dilatation.
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Origin of dilation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for dilation
Historical Examples
White is produced by the dilation, black by the contraction, of the particles of sight.
TimaeusPlato
The eyes of Ian surpassed those of Victor in the matter of dilation.
The Red Man's RevengeR.M. Ballantyne
Thank Heaven, there is yet no dilation of the pupil; it is not too late!
The Luck of Roaring Camp and Other TalesBret Harte
During this operation they continue for a time to increase in size, in consequence of the dilation of the pent-up gas by the heat.
It was a sort of dilation of unshed tears, and yet they were not wet.
Sir TomMrs. Oliphant
Word Origin and History for dilation
n.
1590s, formed from dilate on the mistaken assumption that the -ate in that word was the Latin verbal suffix (it is instead part of the stem); the proper form, dilatation, is older (c.1400).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
dilation
(dī-lā′shən, dĭ-)- The act of expanding or the condition of being expanded.
- Dilatation.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
dilation
[dī-lā′shən, dĭ-]
- The widening or stretching of an opening or a hollow structure in the body.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.