enlarge definition

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. To get more astern or parallel with the vessel's course; to draw aft; said of the wind.

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. "It will enlarge us from all restraints." (Barrow) Enlarging hammer, a hammer with a slightly rounded face of large diameter; used by gold beaters. To enlarge an order or rule, to extend the time for complying with it. To enlarge one's self, to give free vent to speech; to spread out discourse. "They enlarged themselves on this subject." . To enlarge the heart, to make free, liberal, and charitable.

Synonyms: To increase, extend, expand, spread, amplify, augment, magnify. See Increase.

Origin: OF. Enlargier; pref. En- (L. In) + F. Large wide. See Large.