di·late (dī-lāt', dī'lāt')

v., -lat·ed, -lat·ing, -lates.

v.tr.
To make wider or larger; cause to expand.

v.intr.

1. To become wider or larger; expand.
2. To speak or write at great length on a subject; expatiate.

[Middle English dilaten, from Old French dilater, from Latin dīlātāre, to enlarge : dī-, dis-, apart; see dis- + lātus, wide.]

dilatability di·lat'a·bil'i·ty n.
dilatable di·lat'a·ble adj.
dilatably di·lat'a·bly adv.
dilative di·la'tive adj.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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