v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Dilated p. pr. & vb. n. Dilating ] [ L. dilatare; either fr. di- = dis- + latus wide, not the same word as latus, used as p. p. of ferre to bear (see Latitude); or fr. dilatus, used as p. p. of differre to separate (see Delay, Tolerate, Differ, and cf. Dilatory): cf. F. dilater. ] 1. To expand; to distend; to enlarge or extend in all directions; to swell; -- opposed to contract; as, the air dilates the lungs; air is dilated by increase of heat. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To enlarge upon; to relate at large; to tell copiously or diffusely. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Do me the favor to dilate at full
What hath befallen of them and thee till now. Shak.

Syn. -- To expand; swell; distend; enlarge; spread out; amplify; expatiate. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To grow wide; to expand; to swell or extend in all directions. [ 1913 Webster ]

His heart dilates and glories in his strength. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To speak largely and copiously; to dwell in narration; to enlarge; -- with on or upon. [ 1913 Webster ]

But still on their ancient joys dilate. Crabbe. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Extensive; expanded. [ Obs. ] B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Expanded; enlarged. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) Widening into a lamina or into lateral winglike appendages. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Zool.) Having the margin wide and spreading. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a dilated manner. Feltham. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, dilates, expands, or enlarges. [ 1913 Webster ]