extent

ex·tent

noun \ik-ˈstent\

Definition of EXTENT

1

archaic : valuation (as of land) in Great Britain especially for taxation

2

a : seizure (as of land) in execution of a writ of extent in Great Britain; also : the condition of being so seized b : a writ giving to a creditor temporary possession of his debtor's property

3

a : the range over which something extends : scope <the extent of her jurisdiction> b : the point, degree, or limit to which something extends <using talents to the greatest extent> c : the amount of space or surface that something occupies or the distance over which it extends : magnitude <the extent of the forest>

Examples of EXTENT

1. She tried to determine the extent of the damage.
2. the full extent of human knowledge
3. He questions the extent to which these remedies are needed.

Origin of EXTENT

Middle English, from Anglo-French estente, extente land valuation, from extendre, estendre to survey, evaluate, literally, to extend

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to EXTENT

Synonyms: bound, boundary, cap, ceiling, confines, end, limit, limitation, line, termination

Related Words: extremity, fag end, terminus; border, brim, edge, margin, rim, verge; outside; bar, barrier, fence, hedge, restraint, stop, wall

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Rhymes with EXTENT

absent, accent, Advent, anent, ascent, assent, augment, besprent, cement, comment, consent, content, convent, descent, detent, dissent, docent, event, ferment, foment, fragment, frequent, hell-bent, indent, intent, invent, lament, loment, low-rent, mordent, outspent, percent, pigment, portent, present, prevent, pup tent, quitrent, rack-rent, relent, repent, resent, segment, Shymkent, Tashkent, torment, well-meant, wisent