dilate

[dahy-leyt, di-, dahy-leyt] /daɪˈleɪt, dɪ-, ˈdaɪ leɪt/
verb (used with object), dilated, dilating.
1.
to make wider or larger; cause to expand.
2.
Archaic. to describe or develop at length.
verb (used without object), dilated, dilating.
3.
to spread out; expand.
4.
to speak or write at length; expatiate (often followed by on or upon).
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English dilaten < Middle French dilater, Latin dīlātāre to spread out, equivalent to dī- di-2 + lāt(us) broad + -āre infinitive suffix
Related forms
dilatability, noun
dilatable, adjective
nondilatability, noun
nondilatable, adjective
overdilate, verb, overdilated, overdilating.
redilate, verb, redilated, redilating.
self-dilated, adjective
subdilated, adjective
undilatable, adjective
undilated, adjective
undilating, adjective
Can be confused
dilate, dilute.
Synonyms
1. See expand.
Examples from the web for dilate
  • Histamine is produced by the human body to dilate blood vessels.
  • When a red blood cell reaches any tissue in need of oxygen it releases nitric oxide in order to dilate the capillaries.
  • The pain neurons, in turn, release brain chemicals that cause blood vessels to dilate and inflame.
  • They also excite the body's pain receptors and dilate blood vessels.
  • The headache often begins before these vessels dilate.
  • Hugh also has good reason to worry about her heart-the disease could dilate the aorta, with fatal results.
  • These medications help dilate the blood vessels, improving blood flow, reducing blood pressure and improving heart function.
  • The process can cause airways to constrict and blood vessels to dilate and become leaky and can prompt the production of mucus.
  • It sends out signals that dilate outer blood vessels and induce sweating, which results in heat loss.
  • In the early stage of retinopathy, the vessels dilate.
British Dictionary definitions for dilate

dilate

/daɪˈleɪt; dɪ-/
verb
1.
to expand or cause to expand; make or become wider or larger: the pupil of the eye dilates in the dark
2.
(intransitive; often foll by on or upon) to speak or write at length; expand or enlarge
Derived Forms
dilatable, adjective
dilatability, dilatableness, noun
dilation, dilatation (ˌdaɪləˈteɪʃən; ˌdɪ-) noun
dilatational, adjective
dilative (daɪˈleɪtɪv; dɪ-) adjective
Word Origin
C14: from Latin dīlātāre to spread out, amplify, from dis- apart + lātus wide
Word Origin and History for dilate
v.

late 14c., from Old French dilater, from Late Latin dilatare "make wider, enlarge," from dis- "apart" (see dis-) + latus "wide" (see latitude). Related: Dilated; dilating.

dilate in Medicine

dilate di·late (dī-lāt', dī'lāt')
v. di·lat·ed, di·lat·ing, di·lates
To make or become wider or larger.