Ex-ténd'1, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. EXTENDED; p. pr. & vb. n. EXTENDING.] [Lat. extendere, from ex, out of, from, and tendere, to stretch, stretch out, allied to Gr. τείνειν; Sp. extender, Pg. extender, estender, Pr. extendre, estendre, It. estendere, stendere, O. Fr. estendre, N. Fr. étendre.] 1. To draw forth or stretch; to prolong, especially in a single direction, as a line; to protract; as, to extend a line in surveying; to extend a cord across the street. Few extend their thoughts towards universal knowledge. Locke.
- To enlarge, as a surface or volume; to expand; to dilate; as, to extend metal plates by hammering or rolling them.
- To enlarge; to widen; as, to extend the capacities, the sphere of usefulness, or commerce; to continue, as time; to lengthen; as, to extend the time of payment or a season of trial.
- To hold out or reach forth, as the arm or hand. “His helpless hand extend.” Dryden.
- To bestow; to offer; to impart.
- (Law.) To value, as lands taken by a writ of extent in satisfaction of a debt; or to levy on lands, as an execution, by metes and bounds. Burrill.
This manor is extended to my use. Massinger. Syn.—To increase; enlarge; expand; widen; diffuse. See INCREASE.