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

Examples from the Web for outstretched

Contemporary Examples

Before we could pull away they paddled over and with outstretched hands uttered a single English word: “money.”
A Little Too Off the Beaten Path in Burma
Katya Cengel
June 2, 2014
He escorts me down the stairs, out the door, and we stand for a moment beneath the outstretched arms of the giant elms.
The Stacks: The True Greatness of Muhammad Ali
Peter Richmond
February 23, 2014
I reached over to grab his outstretched hand but as our fingers were about to touch, I was engulfed in darkness.
Swallowed by a Hippo
Justin Green
May 6, 2013

Historical Examples

Beyond it, I saw you standing with outstretched arms, as if you sought to come to me, but could not.
Philothea
Lydia Maria Child
“With all my heart, sir,” said Dennet, coming to him with outstretched hands.
The Armourer's Prentices
Charlotte M. Yonge
The face, the tone, the outstretched arm, all drew her irresistibly to him.
The Little Colonel
Annie Fellows Johnston
Her eyes filled, and she stooped as though to kiss the outstretched hand.
The Leopard Woman
Stewart Edward White
As the ladies rose, Walter came to me with outstretched hand.
In the Valley
Harold Frederic

British Dictionary definitions for outstretched

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 outstretched

outstretch

v.

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

outstretch

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Related Words

Examples from the Web for outstretched

Contemporary Examples

Before we could pull away they paddled over and with outstretched hands uttered a single English word: “money.”

He escorts me down the stairs, out the door, and we stand for a moment beneath the outstretched arms of the giant elms.

I reached over to grab his outstretched hand but as our fingers were about to touch, I was engulfed in darkness.

Historical Examples

Beyond it, I saw you standing with outstretched arms, as if you sought to come to me, but could not.

“With all my heart, sir,” said Dennet, coming to him with outstretched hands.

The face, the tone, the outstretched arm, all drew her irresistibly to him.

Her eyes filled, and she stooped as though to kiss the outstretched hand.

As the ladies rose, Walter came to me with outstretched hand.

outstretch

Word Origin and History for outstretched

outstretch

v.

Origin of outstretch