distend

/di-ˈstend/

Middle English, from Latin distendere, from dis- + tendere to stretch

verb

  1. extend

  2. to enlarge, expand, or stretch out (as from internal pressure) : swell

  3. to become enlarged, expanded, or stretched out

the main outlines of the land yet lay clearly distended before them

expand amplify swell distend inflate dilate mean to increase in size or volume. expand may apply regardless of the manner of increase (such as growth, unfolding, addition of parts). amplify implies the extension or enlargement of something inadequate.