distended

[ dih-sten-did ]

adjective

1. increased, as in size, volume, etc.; expanded; dilated:

   the distended nostrils of the terrified horse.

2. swollen, by or as by internal pressure, out of normal size or shape; protuberant:

   distended wineskins; the distended arteries of his neck.

Other Words From

• dis·tended·ly adverb
• dis·tended·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of distended¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; distend + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Which means they’re likely to travel north, leading to significant nausea and vomiting and a very distended or bloated belly.

From Time

In two or three seconds she had become suggestive of an animal, her nostrils distended, the upper lip drawn back from her teeth.

From Project Gutenberg

The Countess Lavinia slowly turned her head and fixed her distended eyes on the speaker.

From Project Gutenberg

He thought her speech outrageous; his nostrils distended a little and his eyes darkened.

From Project Gutenberg

The stomach was much distended, and when I state this fact I am sure it will excite much curiosity as to the reason why.

From Project Gutenberg

By way of doing so, he set up a stout fence-rail between his landlord's distended jaws, and went away.

From Project Gutenberg