dilative

American

[dahy-ley-tiv, dih-, dahy-ley-] / daɪˈleɪ tɪv, dɪ-, ˈdaɪ leɪ- /

adjective

serving or tending to dilate.

Other Word Forms

undilative adjective

Etymology

Origin of dilative

First recorded in 1520–30; dilate + -ive

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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.

From The Book of Khalid by Rihani, Ameen Fares

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.

From Literary Remains, Volume 2 by Coleridge, Samuel Taylor

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023