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.
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.
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