First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
distend
verb dis·tend \di-ˈstend\
medical + formal : to become larger and rounder because of pressure from inside
Full Definition of DISTEND
transitive verb
1
: extend
2
: to enlarge from internal pressure : swell
intransitive verb
: to become expanded
See distend defined for English-language learners
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Origin of DISTEND
Middle English, from Latin distendere, from dis- + tendere to stretch — more at thin
Synonym Discussion of DISTEND
expand, amplify, swell, distend, inflate, dilate mean to increase in size or volume. expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (as growth, unfolding, addition of parts) <a business that expands every year>. amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate <amplify the statement with details>. swell implies gradual expansion beyond a thing's original or normal limits <the bureaucracy swelled to unmanageable proportions>. distend implies outward extension caused by pressure from within <a distended abdomen>. inflate implies expanding by introduction of air or something insubstantial and suggests a vulnerability to sudden collapse <an inflated ego>. dilate applies especially to expansion of circumference <dilated pupils>.
Rhymes with DISTEND
addend, amend, append, ascend, attend, bartend, befriend, Big Bend, bookend, boyfriend, closed-end, commend, compend, contend, dead end, dead-end, defend, depend, descend, downtrend, emend, expend, extend, fag end, forfend, front-end, girlfriend, Gravesend, headend, high-end, hornblende, impend, intend, Land's End, loose end, low-end, missend, misspend, next friend, no end, offend, on end, Ostend, outspend, perpend, pitchblende, portend, pretend, propend, protend, rear-end, resend, sheet bend, South Bend, split end, stipend, subtend, suspend, tag end, tail end, tight end, top-end, transcend, unbend, unkenned, upend, uptrend, weekend, year-end
DISTEND Defined for Kids
distend
verb dis·tend \di-ˈstend\
dis·tend·eddis·tend·ing
Definition of DISTEND for Kids
Word Root of DISTEND
The Latin word tendere, meaning to “stretch” or “to spread,” and its form tentus give us the roots tend, tent, and tens. Words from the Latin tendere have something to do with stretching or spreading. A tent is a temporary shelter made from stretched out fabric. To distend is to stretch outward and swell in all directions. To extend is to stretch out. A tendon is a cord that connects a muscle to another muscle or to a bone and that stretches allowing a joint to bend. Something tense is stretched tight.
Medical Dictionary
distend
transitive verb dis·tend \dis-ˈtend\
Medical Definition of DISTEND
: to enlarge or stretch out (as from internal pressure) <distended veins>
intransitive verb
: to become expanded
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