distend

dis·tend

verb \di-ˈstend\

Definition of DISTEND

transitive verb

1

: extend

2

: to enlarge from internal pressure : swell

intransitive verb

: to become expanded

Examples of DISTEND

1. an abdomen distended by disease

Origin of DISTEND

Middle English, from Latin distendere, from dis- + tendere to stretch — more at thin

First Known Use: 15th century

Rhymes with DISTEND

addend, amend, append, ascend, attend, bartend, befriend, Big Bend, bookend, boyfriend, closed-end, commend, compend, contend, dead end, dead-end, defend, depend, descend, downtrend, emend, expend, extend, fag end, forfend, front-end, girlfriend, Gravesend, headend, high-end, hornblende, impend, intend, Land's End, loose end, low-end, missend, misspend, next friend, no end, offend, on end, Ostend, outspend, perpend, pitchblende, portend, pretend, propend, protend, rear-end, resend, sheet bend, South Bend, split end, stipend, subtend, suspend, tag end, tail end, tight end, top-end, transcend, unbend, unkenned, upend, uptrend, weekend, year-end

dis·tend

transitive verb \dis-ˈtend\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of DISTEND

: to enlarge or stretch out (as from internal pressure) <distended veins>

intransitive verb

: to become expanded