expand

Verb

expand (third-person singular simple present expands, present participle expanding, simple past and past participle expanded)

1. (transitive) To change (something) from a smaller form or size to a larger one; to spread out or lay open.
   • You can expand this compact umbrella to cover a large table.

   Synonyms:

   open out, spread, spread out, unfold

2. (transitive) To increase the extent, number, volume or scope of (something).
   • A flower expands its leaves.
   • Then with expanded wings he steers his flight.1667, John Milton, “Book I”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished...
3. (transitive) To express (something) at length and/or in detail.
4. (transitive) To rewrite (an expression) as a longer, yet equivalent, sum of terms.
   • Use the binomial theorem to expand #123;(x#43;1)#125;⁴.
5. (intransitive) To become, by rewriting, a longer, yet equivalent, sum of terms.
   • The expression #123;(x#43;1)#125;⁴ expands to x⁴#43;4x³#43;6x²#43;4x#43;1.
6. (transitive) To multiply both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction by the same (non-zero) number (which yields a fraction of equal value).
   • Expanding 4#47;7 by 3 gives 12#47;21.
7. (intransitive) To change or grow from smaller to larger in form, number, or size.
   • Many materials expand when heated.
   • This compact umbrella expands to cover a large table.
8. (intransitive) To increase in extent, number, volume or scope.
9. (intransitive) To speak or write at length or in detail.
   • He expanded on his plans for the business.
   • There was some laughter, and Roddle was left free to expand his ideas on the periodic visits of cowboys to the town. “Mason Rickets, he had ten big punkins a-sittin' in front of his store, an' them fellers from the Upside-down-F ranch shot 'em up […]”1899, Stephen Crane, chapter 1, in Twelve O'Clock
10. (intransitive) To feel generous or optimistic.
11. (transitive) In a hierarchical list (such as a directory tree or table of contents), to show the subentries of (an entry).

    Antonyms:

    collapse