expand

verb

1. 1

   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.

2. 2

   To increase the extent, number, volume or scope of (something).

   A flower expands its leaves.

   Then with expanded wings he steers his flight.

   This has evidently been encouraging, for the current winter timetable - not even with the benefit of summer holiday traffic - shows that the two trains each way have been expanded to four.

   When an ultrasonic beam is fired at the microcannons, the emulsion evaporates, expanding rapidly into gas. This creates enough force to push the nanobullets out at velocities reaching several metres per second.

3. 3

   To express (something) at length and/or in detail.

4. 4

   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. 5

   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. 6

   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. 7

   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. 8

   To increase in extent, number, volume or scope.

9. 9

   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 […]”

10. 10

    To feel generous or optimistic.

11. 11

    In a hierarchical list (such as a directory tree or table of contents), to show the subentries of (an entry).

Forms

past tense

expanded

past participle

expanded

present participle

expanding

third person singular

expands