Enlarge

En·large′ (ĕn·lärj′), 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.