v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Enlarged p. pr. & vb. n. Enlarging ] [ OF. enlargier; pref. en- (L. in) + F. large wide. See Large. ] 1. To make larger; to increase in quantity or dimensions; to extend in limits; to magnify; as, the body is enlarged by nutrition; to enlarge one's house. [ 1913 Webster ]

To enlarge their possessions of land. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To increase the capacity of; to expand; to give free scope or greater scope to; also, to dilate, as with joy, affection, and the like; as, knowledge enlarges the mind. [ 1913 Webster ]

O ye Corinthians, our . . . heart is enlarged. 2 Cor. vi. 11. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To set at large or set free. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

It will enlarge us from all restraints. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

Enlarging hammer, a hammer with a slightly rounded face of large diameter; -- used by gold beaters. Knight. --
To enlarge an order or
To enlarge a rule (Law), to extend the time for complying with it. Abbott. --
To enlarge one's self, to give free vent to speech; to spread out discourse. “They enlarged themselves on this subject.” Clarendon. --
To enlarge the heart, to make free, liberal, and charitable.

Syn. -- To increase; extend; expand; spread; amplify; augment; magnify. See Increase. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To grow large or larger; to be further extended; to expand; as, a plant enlarges by growth; an estate enlarges by good management; a volume of air enlarges by rarefaction. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To speak or write at length; to be diffuse in speaking or writing; to expatiate; to dilate. [ 1913 Webster ]

To enlarge upon this theme. M. Arnold. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Naut.) To get more astern or parallel with the vessel's course; to draw aft; -- said of the wind. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Made large or larger; extended; swollen. -- En*lar"ged*ly adv. -- En*lar"ged*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act of increasing in size or bulk, real or apparent; the state of being increased; augmentation; further extension; expansion. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Expansion or extension, as of the powers of the mind; ennoblement, as of the feelings and character; as, an enlargement of views, of knowledge, of affection. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A setting at large, or being set at large; release from confinement, servitude, or distress; liberty. [ 1913 Webster ]

Give enlargement to the swain. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Diffusiveness of speech or writing; expatiation; a wide range of discourse or argument. [ 1913 Webster ]

An enlargement upon the vices and corruptions that were got into the army. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who or that which enlarges. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Photography) an optical device for making copies of photographs larger than the original, having a head for holding the original, a source of illumination to project the image, and a bed for holding the sensitized photographic paper which will received the larger image. [ PJC ]