(v. t.) To lay open by extending; to open wide; to spread out;
to diffuse; as, a flower expands its leaves.
(v. t.) To cause the particles or parts of to spread themselves
or stand apart, thus increasing bulk without addition of substance; to
make to occupy more space; to dilate; to distend; to extend every way;
to enlarge; -- opposed to contract; as, to expand the chest; heat
expands all bodies; to expand the sphere of benevolence.
(v. t.) To state in enlarged form; to develop; as, to expand an
equation. See Expansion, 5.
(v. i.) To become widely opened, spread apart, dilated,
distended, or enlarged; as, flowers expand in the spring; metals expand
by heat; the heart expands with joy.
