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dilative

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

adjective

  1. 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 Project Gutenberg

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 Project Gutenberg

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.