enlarge

present singular third person enlarges · participle present enlarging · participle past enlarged · past enlarged · alternative archaic inlarge

1. transitiveTo make (something) larger.

   We'll need to enlarge our budget if we want to include the helicopter ride in our holiday.

   Synonyms: embiggen, enlargen, largen, greaten, add, amplify, augment, dilate

2. intransitiveTo grow larger.

   Synonyms: expand, grow, accelerate, accrue, aggrandize, augment, embiggen, enhance

3. transitiveTo increase the capacity of; to expand; to give free scope or greater scope to; also, to dilate, as with joy, affection, etc.

   Knowledge enlarges the mind.

   1 more example

   O ye Corinthians, our […] heart is enlarged.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Corinthians 6:11

   Synonyms: expand

4. intransitiveTo speak or write at length upon or on (some subject); expand; elaborate

   I shall enlarge upon the Point.

   1663 (indicated as 1664), [Samuel Butler], “The Second Part of Hudibras”, in Hudibras. The First and Second Parts. […], London: […] John Martyn and Henry Herringman, […], published 1678, →OCLC; republished in A[lfred] R[ayney] Waller, editor, Hudibras: Written in the Time of the Late Wars, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: University Press, 1905, →OCLC, page 2

   2 more examples

   We are then told of the basilisk killing by staring, and of a mous running round a snake till it rushes into the jaws of death. After copying many such anilities, the author adds only, "but our readers will excuse our enlarging."

   1819, The Edinburgh Monthly Review, volume 1, page 707

   He began to enlarge on the nature of the ground.

   1926, T.E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, New York: Anchor, published 1991, page 167

   Synonyms: dilate, expatiate, expound

5. archaicTo release; to set at large.

   Like a Lionesse lately enlarged.

   The New Arcadia

   a. 1587, Philippe Sidnei [i.e., Philip Sidney], “(please specify the folio)”, in [Fulke Greville; Matthew Gwinne; John Florio], editors, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia], London: […] [John Windet] for William Ponsonbie, published 1590, →OCLC

   5 more examples

   Finding no meanes how I might us enlarge, / But if that Dwarfe I could with me convay, / I lightly snatcht him up and with me bore away.

   1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IV, Canto VIII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC

   It will enlarge us from all restraints.

   a. 1678 (date written), Isaac Barrow, “(please specify the chapter name or sermon number)”, in The Works of Dr. Isaac Barrow. […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: A[braham] J[ohn] Valpy, […], published 1830–1831, →OCLC

   Uncle of Exeter, enlarge the man committed yesterday, that rail'd against our person. We consider it was excess of wine that set him on.

   1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]

   In hospital he gave his parole, and was enlarged after paying for the torn blanket.

   1926, T.E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, New York: Anchor, published 1991, page 167

   In the morning, said Mr. Case, as soon as Mr. Gorman, or Mr. Nolan arrives, you will be let out, and free to come and go, as you please. Watt replied that that would indeed be something to look forward to, and a comfort to him during the night, the prospect of being enlarged, in the morning, by Mr. Gorman, or Mr. Nolan, and made free to come and go, as he listed.

   1953, Samuel Beckett, Watt, [Paris]: Olympia Press, →OCLC

   Synonyms: free, liberate, set free

6. nauticalTo get more astern or parallel with the vessel's course; to draw aft; said of the wind.
7. lawTo extend the time allowed for compliance with (an order or rule).

   the court would not take farther time to adjourn and deliberate, where the term was near spent, unless the parties would consent to enlarge it

   1795, Charles Runnington, The History, Principles and Practice […]