outstretch

[out-strech]

See more synonyms for outstretch on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to stretch forth; extend: to outstretch one's hand in welcome.
to stretch out; expand: The rising population has outstretched the city.
to stretch beyond: His behavior outstretches my patience.

Origin of outstretch

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at out-, stretch

Related formsout·stretch·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for outstretch

bloat, broaden, coat, daub, dilate, disperse, enlarge, escalate, flatten, flow, increase, lengthen, multiply, mushroom, overlay, paint, pervade, prepare, proliferate, radiate

Examples from the Web for outstretch

Historical Examples of outstretch

There is something tragic to me in the outstretch of a city.
The Spell of Switzerland
Nathan Haskell Dole
In the outstretch, for the second time, Aramis shot forward like the arrow from a bended bow.
Ainslee's, Vol. 15, No. 5, June 1905
Various
The minister was mentioning names, too, but the girl had her back to them and was studying the outstretch.
The House of Fulfilment
George Madden Martin

British Dictionary definitions for outstretch

outstretch

verb (tr)

to extend or expand; stretch out
to stretch or extend beyond

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

Word Origin and History for outstretch

mid-14c., from out + stretch (v.). Related: Outstretched; outstretching.