distend Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb become wider
    dilate.
    • His pupils were dilated
  2. verb cause to expand as it by internal pressure
    • The gas distended the animal's body
  3. verb swell from or as if from internal pressure
    • The distended bellies of the starving cows

WordNet

Dis*tend" transitive verb
Etymology
L. distendere, distentum, distensum; dis- + tendere to stretch, stretch out: cf. F. distendre to distend, détendre to unbend. See Tend, and cf. Detent.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Distended; present participle & verbal noun Distending
Definitions
  1. To extend in some one direction; to lengthen out; to stretch. R.
    But say, what mean those colored streaks in heaven Distended as the brow of God appeased? Milton.
  2. To stretch out or extend in all directions; to dilate; to enlarge, as by elasticity of parts; to inflate so as to produce tension; to cause to swell; as, to distend a bladder, the stomach, etc.
    The warmth distends the chinks. Dryden.
    Syn. -- To dilate; expand; enlarge; swell; inflate.
Dis*tend" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To become expanded or inflated; to swell. "His heart distends with pride." Milton.

Webster 1913