Dis-tĕnd'1, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. DISTENDED; p. pr. & vb. n. DISTENDING.] [Lat. distendere, from prefix dis and tendere, to stretch, stretch out; It. distendere, O. Sp. distender, Fr. distendre, to distend, but Fr. détendre, Pr. destendre, and sometimes It. distendere, to unbend.]
Sense 1. To extend in some one direction; to lengthen out; to stretch. [Rare.]
What mean those colored streaks in heaven distended? Milton.
Sense 2. To stretch or extend in all directions; to dilate; to enlarge; to expand; to swell; as, to distend a bladder.
The warmth distends the chinks. Dryden.
Synonyms—To dilate; expand; enlarge; swell.