dilate
verb (used with object)
to make wider or larger; cause to expand.
were dilating
-
past progressiveof dilate.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His big nostrils were dilating more than ever; he turned his head so that one of his eyes again looked into hers.
From Sparrows: the story of an unprotected girl by Horace W. C. (Horace Wykeham Can) Newte
Her eyes were dilating; she put her shaking hand up to her throat, as if she were struggling for breath.
From The Iron Woman by Margaret Wade Campbell Deland
His nostrils were dilating, twitching with the thin, sharp odor of the overturned demijohn which was rising and thickening in the room.
From Once to Every Man by Anton Otto Fischer
It seemed to Jimmy that Alfred's nostrils were dilating.
From Baby Mine by Margaret Mayo
She leaned across the table to interrupt him, and he observed that her breathing had grown labored, that her eyes were dilating in alarm.
From Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini
