expansive
English
Etymology
From Latin expāns-, past-participle stem of expandere (“to spread out”; see expand) + -ive.[1]
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ɪkˈspænsɪv/
- Rhymes: -ɪv
Adjective
expansive (comparative more expansive, superlative most expansive)
- Comprehensive in scope or extent.
- expansive research work
- 1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 46, in The History of Pendennis. […], volumes (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850, →OCLC:
- She laughed, she winked, and nodded knowingly at Pen; she tapped him on the arm with her fan; she tapped Blanche; she tapped the Major;—her contentment was boundless, and her method of showing her joy equally expansive.
- Talkative and sociable.
- Able to be expanded.
- 1691, John Ray, The Wisdom of God Manifested in the Works of the Creation, page 56:
- The Elastick or expansive faculty of the Air, whereby it dilates itself, when compressed (indeed this lower Region of it by reason of the weight of the superincumbent is al∣ways in a compressed State) hath been made use of in the common Weather-glasses, in Wind guns, and in several ingenious Water∣works, and doubtless hath a great Interest in many natural Effects and Operations.
- 1864, Negretti and Zambra, chapter 11, in A Treatise on Meteorological Instruments:
- Such instruments, however ingenious, are not of scientific value; because they do not admit of rigid comparison, are liable to alter in their contractile and expansive properties, and cannot be made to indicate precisely alike.
- (mathematics) Exhibiting expansivity.
Derived terms
Translations
Comprehensive in scope or extent
Talkative and sociable
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Able to be expanded
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References
- Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “expansive”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
French
Latin
Swedish
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