Dilate

Part of Speech

Verb

Pronunciation

/daɪˈleɪt/

Definitions

• To make or become wider, larger, or more open.
• To expand or stretch, often used in a medical or scientific context (e.g., the pupil dilates in response to light).
• To elaborate or discuss in greater detail.

Usage Examples

• The doctor asked the patient to look up as the drops were used to dilate their pupils.
• The teacher will dilate on the topic further during the lecture.
• The arteries dilate to accommodate the increased blood flow during exercise.

Etymology

From Latin "dilatatus," past participle of "dilatare," from "dis-" meaning "apart" and "latus" meaning "carried" or "borne," meaning "to carry apart" or "to expand."

Synonyms

• Expand
• Widen
• Enlarge
• Broaden
• Stretch

Antonyms

• Contract
• Shrink
• Condense

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• In American English, the pronunciation is /daɪˈleɪt/ with a strong emphasis on the second syllable.
• In British English, it may be pronounced /ˈdaɪleɪt/ with a more balanced emphasis on both syllables.

Historical Usage

The verb "dilate" has been used since the 16th century, originally in the context of physical expansion, particularly in anatomy and the physical sciences. Over time, it was adopted into other fields, including linguistics, where it means to expand on a subject or to elaborate.

Cultural Nuances

In medical contexts, "dilate" is most commonly associated with the expansion of bodily passages, such as blood vessels, pupils, or the cervix during childbirth. It also has significant use in scientific and technical fields where expansion of space, volume, or dimensions is involved. "Dilate" is metaphorically used in speech and writing to describe the process of elaboration or discussion in more detail.

More Information

The act of dilation can occur in both organic and inorganic contexts. For example, in the human body, dilation is a response to stimuli such as light or pressure. Pupils dilate to allow more light into the eyes in low-light conditions. Similarly, blood vessels dilate to allow more blood flow during physical exertion. In non-biological contexts, dilation is a term used in physics and engineering to describe the process of increasing volume or space within a system. Dilation is also used in linguistic contexts to describe expanding on a particular topic.