expatiate

American  

[ik-spey-shee-eyt] / ɪkˈspeɪ ʃiˌeɪt /

verb (used without object)

expatiated, expatiating

1. to enlarge in discourse or writing; be copious in description or discussion.

   to expatiate upon a theme.

2. Archaic. to move or wander about intellectually, imaginatively, etc., without restraint.

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expatiate British  

/ ɪkˈspeɪʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to enlarge (on a theme, topic, etc) at length or in detail; elaborate (on)

2. rare to wander about

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Other Word Forms

• expatiation noun
• expatiator noun

Etymology

Origin of expatiate

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin expatiātus, past participle of ex(s)patiārī “to wander, digress,” equivalent to ex- “from, out of, beyond” + spatiārī “to walk about,” derivative of spatium “area, space, playing field, racetrack”; -ate ¹

Example Sentences

We took long walks in the botanical garden in the Bronx, where he could expatiate on every species of fern.

From The Guardian

When the question is general enough, they move quickly from answering it to expatiating on general themes.

From Washington Post

Groucho expatiated on Lear’s relationship to his daughters.

From The New Yorker

The emotional temperature in the room changes when this imposing paterfamilias begins expatiating with contempt on Aaron’s plan.

From New York Times

Did Mr. Isherwood also see these plays and respond similarly? — drjp1025, Los Angeles Ben Brantley: I said pretty much what I wanted to say in those reviews, though you can always expatiate, I suppose.

From New York Times