expatiate

[ ik-spey-shee-eyt ]
See synonyms for: expatiateexpatiation on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object),ex·pa·ti·at·ed, ex·pa·ti·at·ing.
  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.

Origin of expatiate

1
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”; see -ate1

Other words from expatiate

  • ex·pa·ti·a·tion, noun
  • ex·pa·ti·a·tor, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use expatiate in a sentence

  • A tempting subject for expatiation, especially when one remembers—and who that has once read it can forget?

    Sir Walter Scott | William Paton Ker
  • For example, the card called Fortitude is an opportunity for expatiation on will as the secret of strength.

  • Gower Woodseer's engagement with the girl Madge was a happier subject for expatiation and agreement.

  • The inevitable monotony of the panegyrics on Honorius is relieved by just and brilliant expatiation on the duties of a sovereign.

  • His brother-in-law paused in the middle of an expatiation on the business opportunities of the neighborhood.

    Martin Eden | Jack London

British Dictionary definitions for expatiate

expatiate

/ (ɪkˈspeɪʃɪˌeɪt) /


verb(intr)
  1. (foll by on or upon) to enlarge (on a theme, topic, etc) at length or in detail; elaborate (on)

  2. rare to wander about

Origin of expatiate

1
C16: from Latin exspatiārī to digress, from spatiārī to walk about

Derived forms of expatiate

  • expatiation, noun
  • expatiator, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012