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expatiate. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
expatiate, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
expatiate in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
expatiate you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Etymology
From the participle stem of Latin expatior, from ex- + spatior (“walk about”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ɪkˈspeɪʃɪeɪt/, /ɛkˈspeɪʃɪeɪt/
Verb
expatiate (third-person singular simple present expatiates, present participle expatiating, simple past and past participle expatiated)
- To write or speak at length; to be copious in argument or discussion.
- Synonyms: descant, dilate, enlarge, expound
1716 March 16 (Gregorian calendar), Joseph Addison, “The Free-holder: No. 22. Monday, March 5. ”, in The Works of the Right Honourable Joseph Addison, Esq; , volume IV, London: Jacob Tonson, , published 1721, →OCLC, page 438:[H]e expatiated on the inconveniences of trade, that carried from us the commodities of our country, and made a parcel of upſtarts as rich as men of the moſt ancient families of England.
1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], “(please specify the page)”, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. , volume II, London: Henry Colburn, , →OCLC, pages 48–49:To the pure mind of Isabella thought of no other had arisen; and it was far better that the generous romance of her young heart should expatiate on the rival in heaven, than for a moment dread a rival on earth, and therefore become subject to jealousy...
1851 November 14, Herman Melville, “The Mast-head”, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC, page 203:Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.
1992 May 3, Clive Exton, “Comrade Bingo”, in Jeeves and Wooster, season 3, episode 6:Wooster: If you ask me, art is responsible for most of the trouble in the world. / Jeeves: An interesting theory, sir. Would you care to expatiate upon it? / Wooster: As a matter of fact, no, Jeeves. The thought just occurred to me, as thoughts do. / Jeeves: Very good, sir.
- (rare) To range at large, or without restraint.
1713, Alexander Pope, “Windsor-Forest. ”, in The Works of Mr. Alexander Pope, volume I, London: W Bowyer, for Bernard Lintot, , published 1717, →OCLC, page 62:[L]ooks on heav'n with more than mortal eyes, / Bids his free ſoul expatiate in the skies, / Amidſt her kindred ſtars familiar roam, / Survey the region, and confeſs her home! Such was the life great Scipio once admir'd, / Thus Atticus, and Trumball thus retir'd.
- (obsolete) To expand; to spread; to extend; to diffuse; to broaden.
Translations
to write or speak at length; to be copious in argument or discussion, to descant
to range at large, or without restraint
obsolete: to expand; to spread; to extend; to diffuse; to broaden
Translations to be checked