EXPAND', verb transitive [Latin expando; es and pando, to open or spread; Eng. span. The primary sense is to strain or stretch, and this seems to be the sense of bend, Latin pandus.] 1. To open; to spread; as, a flower expands its leaves. 2. To spread; to enlarge a surface; to diffuse; as, a stream expands its waters over a plain. 3. To dilate; to enlarge in bulk; to distend; as, to expand the chest by inspiration; heat expands all bodies; air is expanded by rarefaction. 4. To enlarge; to extend; as, to expand the sphere of benevolence; to expand the heart or affections.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI