dilatation
|di-la-ta-tion|
🇺🇸
/ˌdaɪləˈteɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌdaɪləˈteɪʃ(ə)n/
spreading out / enlargement
Etymology
'dilatation' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'dilatatio', where 'dilatare' meant 'to spread out' (from 'di-'/intensive + 'latus' meaning 'wide').
'dilatation' changed from Old French 'dilatacion' and Middle English 'dilatacioun' and eventually became the modern English word 'dilatation'.
Initially, it meant 'spreading out' or 'enlargement'; over time the core sense of 'expansion' remained, while secondary senses such as 'delay' or extended speech (archaic) developed.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the action or process of dilating; expansion or widening.
The dilatation of the blood vessels reduces blood pressure.
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Noun 2
medicine: the abnormal or pathologic enlargement of a hollow organ or vessel (e.g., ventricular dilatation).
Echocardiography revealed dilatation of the left ventricle.
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Noun 3
mathematics/geometry: a transformation that produces an enlargement of a figure from a fixed center (a scale change).
The dilatation mapped the triangle to a larger, similar triangle centered at the origin.
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Noun 4
archaic: delay, prolongation (now rare; related to the sense 'to dilate' meaning to prolong).
His habit of dilatation made the committee impatient. (archaic)
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Last updated: 2025/10/22 19:14