v. di·lat·ed, di·lat·ing, di·lates v.tr. To make wider or larger; cause to expand. v.intr. 1. To become wider or larger; expand. 2. To speak or write at great length on a subject; expatiate. [Middle English dilaten, from Old French dilater, from Latin dīlātāre, to enlarge : dī-, dis-, apart; see DIS- + lātus, wide.] di·lat′a·bili·ty n. di·lata·ble adj. di·lata·bly adv. di·lative adj. |
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