Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1300-1400
Language: French
Origin: dilater, from Latin latus 'wide'

dilate

 verb
     
di‧late [intransitive and transitive]
if a hollow part of your body dilates or if something dilates it, it becomes wider [≠ contract]:
dilated pupils
—dilation noun [uncountable]

dilate on/upon something

phrasal verb
to speak or write a lot about something:
He dilated upon their heroism.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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