Definition of dilate

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< dilatator

dilated >

di·late    (d-lt, dlt) KEY 

VERB:
di·lat·ed, di·lat·ing, di·lates
VERB:
tr.

To make wider or larger; cause to expand.

VERB:
intr.

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

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English dilaten, from Old French dilater, from Latin dltre, to enlarge : d-, dis-, apart ; see dis- + ltus, wide

OTHER FORMS:
di·lata·bili·ty(Noun), di·lata·ble(Adjective), di·lata·bly(Adverb), di·lative(Adjective)