dilation

plural dilations

1. countableuncountableThe act of dilating.
2. countableuncountableState of being dilated; expansion; dilatation.

   Synonyms: expansion, dilatation

3. countableobsoleteuncountableDelay.

   The wise queen, however she might seem to have a fair opportunity offered to her suit, finds it not good to apprehend it too suddenly; as desiring by this small dilation to prepare the ear and heart of the king for so important a request

   1612–1634, [Joseph Hall], “(please specify the page)”, in [Contemplations vpon the Principall Passages of the Holy Storie], volume (please specify |volume=I to VIII), London, →OCLC

   Synonyms: cunctation, hold-up, cunctation, deferment, delay, detain, halt, hinder

4. countableuncountablemathematicsIn morphology, a basic operation (denoted ⊕) that usually uses a structuring element for probing and expanding the shapes contained in the input image.