Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Enlarge?

\En*large"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Enlarged}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Enlarging}.] [OF. enlargier; pref. en- (L. in) + F. large wide. See {Large}.] 1. To make larger; to increase in quantity or dimensions; to extend in limits; to magnify; as, the body is enlarged by nutrition; to enlarge one's house. To enlarge their possessions of land. --Locke. 2. To increase the capacity of; to expand; to give free scope or greater scope to; also, to dilate, as with joy, affection, and the like; as, knowledge enlarges the mind. O ye Corinthians, our . . . heart is enlarged. --2 Cor. vi. 11. 3. To set at large or set free. [Archaic] It will enlarge us from all restraints. --Barrow. {Enlarging hammer}, a hammer with a slightly rounded face of large diameter; -- used by gold beaters. --Knight. {To enlarge an} {order or rule} (Law), to extend the time for complying with it. --Abbott. {To enlarge one's self}, to give free vent to speech; to spread out discourse. ``They enlarged themselves on this subject.'' --Clarendon. {To enlarge the heart}, to make free, liberal, and charitable. Syn: To increase; extend; expand; spread; amplify; augment; magnify. See {Increase}.
\En*large"\, v. i. 1. To grow large or larger; to be further extended; to expand; as, a plant enlarges by growth; an estate enlarges by good management; a volume of air enlarges by rarefaction. 2. To speak or write at length; to be diffuse in speaking or writing; to expatiate; to dilate. To enlarge upon this theme. --M. Arnold. 3. (Naut.) To get more astern or parallel with the vessel's course; to draw aft; -- said of the wind.