distended

[ dih-sten-did ]

/ dɪˈstɛn dɪd /

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adjective

increased, as in size, volume, etc.; expanded; dilated: the distended nostrils of the terrified horse.

swollen, by or as by internal pressure, out of normal size or shape; protuberant: distended wineskins; the distended arteries of his neck.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of distended

First recorded in 1590–1600; distend + -ed²

dis·tend·ed·ly, adverbdis·tend·ed·ness, noun

Which means they’re likely to travel north, leading to significant nausea and vomiting and a very distended or bloated belly.
The Truth About Common Digestive Health Fears|Stacey Colino|March 14, 2022|Time
In two or three seconds she had become suggestive of an animal, her nostrils distended, the upper lip drawn back from her teeth.
The Winning Clue|James Hay, Jr.
The Countess Lavinia slowly turned her head and fixed her distended eyes on the speaker.
The Rake's Progress|Marjorie Bowen
He thought her speech outrageous; his nostrils distended a little and his eyes darkened.
The Rake's Progress|Marjorie Bowen

The stomach was much distended, and when I state this fact I am sure it will excite much curiosity as to the reason why.
The Adventures of Louis de Rougemont|Louis de Rougemont
By way of doing so, he set up a stout fence-rail between his landlord's distended jaws, and went away.
The Fiend's Delight|Dod Grile