distend

[ dih-stend ]

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Part of Speech verb

Origin + Etymology

late Middle English from Latin distendere, from dis- "apart" + tendere "to stretch"

Synonyms

bloat balloon puff

expand widen increase

Antonyms

compress condense deflate

shrink decrease reduce

Definition

1. to expand by stretching, as something hollow or elastic

2. to spread in all directions; expand; swell

Examples

1. A) The balloon began to distend as it filled with water. B) The bellows just wouldn't distend, which suggested a puncture somewhere.

2. A) The spill continued to distend, dying the floor an ugly purple. B) The problem didn't become apparent until the mess started to distend throughout the house.

Usage Over Time

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Usage Over Time

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astute

[ uh-stoot ]

having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage

bemuse

[ bih-myooz ]

to bewilder or confuse

dollop

[ dol-uhp ]

a small quantity

collude

[ kuh-lood ]

to conspire in a fraud

dauntless

[ dawnt-lis ]

not to be daunted or intimidated; fearless; intrepid; bold

descant

[ des-kant ]

to sing

eggcorn

[ eg-kawrn ]

a word or phrase that is a seemingly logical alteration of another word or phrase that sounds similar and has been misheard or misinterpreted

mulct

[ muhlkt ]

to deprive (someone) of something, as by fraud, extortion, etc.; swindle

glimmer

[ glim-er ]

to shine faintly or unsteadily; twinkle, shimmer, or flicker