étendre

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French

Etymology

Inherited from Middle French estendre, from Old French estendre, from Latin extendere.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /e.tɑ̃dʁ/
  • Audio:(file)

Verb

étendre

  1. (transitive, reflexive) to spread, to spread out, to lay out
    Il étendit du beurre sur du pain.He spread butter on bread.
    Il étendit du parchemin.He unfurled parchment.
    Il étendit un tapis.He laid out a rug.
    Jésus-Christ fut étendu sur la croix.
    Jesus Christ was stretched out on the Cross.
    L’armée s’étendit dans la plaine.
    The army spread out on the plain.
    Une tache d’huile s’étend peu à peu.A spot of oil is spreading little by little.
  2. (transitive) to stretch (the limbs)
    L’oiseau étend ses ailes pour voler.
    The bird spreads its wings to fly.
    Elle étend la main pour le prendre.
    She is stretching her arm to take it.
  3. (transitive) to hang out (washing)
  4. (transitive, reflexive) to extend, to enlarge, expand
    Il étendit son empire.He expanded his empire.
    Il étendit sa réputation.He extended his reputation.
    Il étendit son pouvoir.He expanded his power.
    • 2020, Alexis Chabot, Manuel de culture générale – Cours & méthode, page 36:
      Cependant, un tel critère reste difficile à prendre au pied de la lettre : n’est-il pas très exceptionnel que le Peuple gouverne? En existe-t-il de véritables exemples? Il importe donc d’étendre cette notion pour intégrer le concept de représentation : faute de quoi on pourrait facilement conclure, à l’instar de [Rousseau] dans son essai Du contrat social qu’«aucune démocratie n’existe ni n’existera jamais en ce monde».
      However, such a criterion is difficult to take literally: isn't it exceptional for the People to govern? Are there any real examples? Otherwise, we could easily conclude, as did in his essay The Social Contract, that "no democracy exists or will ever exist in this world".
  5. (reflexive) to expand upon; to discuss in greater detail
  6. (transitive) to dilute; to water down
    Il étendit du vin avec de l’eau.He watered down wine with water.

Conjugation

Derived terms

Further reading

Anagrams