dilative

[dahy-ley-tiv, dih-, dahy-ley-]

adjective

1. serving or tending to dilate.

Other Word Forms

• undilative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilative¹

First recorded in 1520–30; dilate + -ive

Example Sentences

There is a pleasant dilative sensation in receiving a message on board a steamer, especially when the messenger has to seek you among the Salon passengers.

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In like manner, sulphur represents the active and passive principle of fire: the contractive force, or negative electricity—oxygen—produces flame; and the dilative force, or positive electricity—hydrogen—produces warmth.

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