Webster's English Dictionary

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expand

ex.pand \ik-'spand\ \-*-b*l\ vb [ME expaunden, fr. L expandere, fr. ex- + 
   pandere to sp]read - more more at FATHOM 1: to increase the extent, number, 
   or scope of : ENLARGE  2a: to express fully or in detail  2b: to write out 
   in full  1: to open out  2: to increase in extent, number, or scope  3: to 
   speak or write fully or in detail  4: to feel generous or optimisticM, 
   DILATE mean to increase in size or volume. EXPAND may apply whether the 
   increase comes from within or without, or in any manner such as growth, 
   unfolding, addition of parts; AMPLIFY implies the extension or enlargement 
   of something inadequate; SWELL implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's 
   original or normal limits; DISTEND implies expansion caused by pressure 
   from within forcing extension outward; INFLATE implies expanding by 
   introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a resulting 
   vulnerability and liability to sudden collapse; DILATE applies esp. to 
   expansion of circumference - ex.pand.able aj SYN syn EXPAND, AMPLIFY, 
   SWELL, DISTEND, INFLATE)