distention

or dis·ten·sion

[ dih-sten-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of distending or the state of being distended. distended.

Other Words From

• hyper·dis·tention noun
• over·dis·tention noun
• super·dis·tention noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of distention¹

1375–1425; late Middle English distensioun < Latin distentiōn- (stem of distentiō ), equivalent to distent ( us ) distent + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

If the heat be insufficient, a drying up instead of a natural distention ensues.

From Project Gutenberg

And this extended upward without first producing any great distention of the synovial sack under the patella.

From Project Gutenberg

This seems to be due to the distention of the stomach, either by gas or by liquid.

From Project Gutenberg

The other is by the contraction and distention of the midriff or diaphragm.

From Project Gutenberg

In every bruise the small blood vessels are ruptured, and the blood collects in the tissues causing distention, swelling and pain.

From Project Gutenberg