/enlarge/
Verb.
Pronunciation and accent: ɛnlɑːdʒ.
Etymology: from Old French enlarger, which is analysed into en- (from Latin in) + large (= large).
-) Third-person singular simple present: enlarges.
-) Preterite tense: enlarged. Preterite participle: enlarged.
-) Present participle: enlarging.
It is dated from the end of 1300.
Transitively: 1. (Of something extendible): to make large or larger; to augment the size of; to extend the limit of; to render more spacious or extensive.
-) Synonym of the verb enlarge: to widen.
-) Translation: agrandar, in Spanish; élargir, in French; ingrandire, in Italian.
The first contraction is in the two auricles, which are shortened in that action. This enlarges the ventricle before it contracts.
John Loudon… Natural history 1832
It is also worthy of notice, that the colon is not a gradually enlarged continuation of the ileum.
Andrew Combe… The physiology of digestion 1836
A hole is then made in the middle, which is enlarged with a tool.
Francis Thompson…. The Universal Decorator 1837
Notwithstanding the embarrassments of the Marquess of the Valley, he still made new efforts to enlarge the limits of discovery.
William Prescott… Conquest of Mexico 1843
We had excavated the entire circle of four feet diameter, and now we slightly enlarged the limit, and went to the farther depth of two feet.
Edgar Poe 1852
This city is so enlarged and changed since my former visit, that, except for its position on the Mersey, I should hardly know it to be the same place.
Benjamin Silliman… A visit to Europe 1854
[…] unexpected gifts from relatives and friends […] enabled them to enlarge their acres and adorn their dwelling.
Willie Triton… The fisher boy 1858
-) With the preposition to + a noun, by which the augmentation is designated:
[…] this space, except when the fire burnt remarkably clear, was scarcely sufficient to [… drive] away the smoke. I therefore enlarged it to half the space, that is, to about six by seven or eight inches.
James Boswell… The Scots Magazine 1788
During 550 years that the Romans possessed this town, they enlarged it to the north, and beyond the island.
John Scott… A Visit to Paris in 1814
-) In reflexive construction: to become large or larger; to be further extended; to be augmented; to expand.
[…] it was discovered that his liver had enlarged itself beyond its ordinary size.
David Brewster… The Edinburgh encyclopaedia, vol. 16
2. (Of something augmentable in other respect than that of extension): to augment the number of; to make greater in number, amount, degree, etc.
-) Synonyms: to increase, extend, magnify.
[…] whilst the pages have been enlarged sufficiently to admit of the introduction of engravings of a more important size than heretofore, the general appearance of the book has been greatly improved by a slight diminution of its bulk.
The Literary Souvenir 1829
-) With the preposition to + a noun, by which the augmentation is designated:
Mr. Lyons fixed the 4th of August annually as the period on which the prize should be contested: and the archers were limited to six. Subsequently they enlarged the number to twelve, and selected the first Thursday in July, as more convenient than the original day.
George Hansard… The Book of Archery 1840
3. a. (Of something vaguely localizable): to expand or augment the scope of (mind, etc.). b. (Of something incorporeal): render more comprehensive.
[…] the Scottish parliament confirmed and enlarged these decisions.
George Craik… A pictorial history of England 1840
[…] his mind had been enlarged by historical studies and foreign travel.
Thomas Macaulay… The History of England 1849
It is at his club, and at such parties, that he makes friends, and enlarges his connections.
Douglas Jerrold… The writings… 1853
Intransitively: 1. a. To become large or larger; to be augmented; to be further extended; to expand. b. To be augmented in scope or intensity; intensify.
Finding that I had concluded, he paused for a moment; his passion seemed gradually to enlarge, till it was no longer capable of control.
William Godwin… The adventures of Caleb… 1794
The Mississippi traverses a continent, and enlarges gradually from a mountain rivulet into a mighty river.
Captain Hamilton… Men and manners… 1833
Cortes, who saw the boundaries of his empire thus rapidly enlarging, availed himself of the favourable dispositions of the natives to ascertain the products and resources of their several countries.
William Prescott… Conquest of Mexico 1843
[…] when the stomach is full and active, […] their tortuosity disappears, their diameter enlarges, and the circulation through them becomes quicker.
Andrew Combe… The physiology of digestion 1845
2. To speak or write at large or at length; to be diffuse in speaking or writing; to become wordy.
-) Synonyms: to expatiate, dilate.
-) Antonyms of the verb enlarge: abridge, condense.
-) Translation: dilatarse, in Spanish; s’étendre, in French; dilungarsi, in Italian.
-) With the preposition on, or upon + noun of the subject:
[…] he did not answer me, but contented himself with assuring me that I might eat in safety. He even enlarged on the excellence of some of the dishes, most of which were new to me.
William Simms… Southward ho! 1854
In more than one letter he had enlarged upon the attractions of the place.
Thomas Purnell… The lady Drusilla 1886
I am obliged to omit much that would amuse and interest you; but my present situation, --a noisy tavern, crowded in every corner, even in the room where I write, with the sons of riot and dissipation, -- prevents me from enlarging on particulars.
Alexander Wilson… American ornithology 1808
-) With the preposition to, to denote the indirect object of the action:
A passenger enlarged to me on the wonderful and admirable qualities of the vessel, and mentioned that the queen had preferred her to the Royal George for her return to London.
Johann Kohl… Russia and the Russians 1842
When not occupied with his pursuits of the latter description, he was sure to be busy with his family correspondence, or enlarging to me upon the comforts or kindness he had experienced at home.
Robert Douglas… Adventures of a medical student 1848
-) Words derived from the verb ENLARGE: enlargement, enlarger, enlarging, enlargingly.
