释义 |
enlarge, v.|ɛnˈlɑːdʒ| Also 4 enlargen, 7 enlardge, 6–8 inlarge. [a. OF. enlarge-r, enlargir, f. en- (see en-1) + large (see large). Some of the mod.Eng. uses are influenced by those of Fr. élargir, OF. eslargir, alarger (see alarge).] I. To make larger. 1. trans. To render more spacious or extensive; to extend the limits of (a territory, enclosure, etc.); to widen (boundaries). In later use this merges in the more generalized sense 2; the fig. applications in 3 however remain distinct.
c1400Mandeville v. 45 Thei may not enlargen it [Egypt] toward the desert, for defaute of watre. c1420Pallad. on Husb. i. 316 The fundament enlarge it half a foote Outwith the wough. 1535Coverdale Jer. xxxi. 38 The cite of y⊇ Lorde shalbe enlarged from the towre of Hananeel, vnto y⊇ gate of the corner wall. a1687Petty Pol. Arith. 72 Any Prince willing to inlarge his Territories, will give, etc. 1748Hartley Observ. Man i. ii. §1. 123 Grinding inlarges the sphere of their attractions. 1856Kane Arct. Expl. II. xv. 164 He will rear himself upon his hind-legs to enlarge his circle of vision. 2. a. To increase the size of (a material object); to add to, augment (a literary work, a person's wealth, the number or amount of anything). Formerly also (cf. uses of large) with reference to intensive magnitude: to increase (a person's renown, the force of anything, etc.). † Sometimes with out (obs. rare). Also, to increase in apparent size, magnify. Also absol.
c1380Antecrist in Todd 3 Treat. Wyclif 120 Þe deuyl shal enlarge his taile more wickudly in þe eende of þe worlde. 1576Fleming Panoplie Ep. 117 That the dignitie of Plancus might be augmented, & his honour inlarged. 1591Spenser M. Hubberd 745 T'enlarge his breath, (large breath in armes most needfull). 1594Carew tr. Huarte Exam. Wits (1616) 280 By means whereof it extendeth and enlargeth out the naturall heat. 1614Raleigh Hist. World II. iv. vii. §1. 246 He..enlarged the Centurions of Horsemen. 1628Hobbes Thucyd. (1822) 57 The Athenians much enlarged their own particular wealth. 1683Salmon Doron Med. i. 155 It inlarges its Narcotick Force. a1687Petty Pol. Arith. x. 116 Selling of Lands to Foreigners for Gold and Silver, would inlarge the Stock of the Kingdom. 1703Rowe Fair Penit. i. i. 202 Enthusiastick Passion..Enlarg'd her Voice. 1732Pope Ep. Cobham i. 35 Fancy's beam enlarges, multiplies, Contracts. 1742Young Nt. Th. iv. 462 O how is man inlarg'd, Seen thro' this medium. 1774Ld. Monboddo Language (ed. 2) I. Pref. 10 In this second edition, so much inlarged. 1810Scott Lady of L. i. xxxiv, Slowly enlarged to giant size. 1845Budd Dis. Liver 126 The spleen is found enormously enlarged. 1866Walcott Cathedr. Reform. in Ch. & World 15 At the very time when the numbers and learning of parish clergy were rapidly being enlarged. 1883Manch. Exam. 24 Oct. 5/1 Their salaries will be enlarged out of the episcopal and capitular incomes. †b. To magnify, exaggerate in statement. Also, to set forth at length. Obs.
1586A. Day Eng. Secretary (1625) A ij b, To..enlarge my paines taken in publishing the other. 1646H. Lawrence Comm. Angells 23, I shall not enlarge this now particularly. 1703Maundrell Journ. Jerus. (1732) 15 The Asiatick way of enlarging. 1728Morgan Algiers I. iii. 52 Report generally inlarges matters. †c. intr. to enlarge on: to make an addition to (a plan); to amplify (a hint). Obs. (Cf. 5 b.)
1711Addison Spect. No. 58 ⁋13 It is so very easy to enlarge upon a good Hint. 1790Paley Horæ Paul. i. 8, I have so far enlarged upon this plan, as to take into it, etc. 1800Med. Jrnl. IV. 233 Those gentlemen..will..enlarge on the plan I have hinted thus lightly. d. Photogr. To make a picture larger than (the original negative). Also absol.
1866J. Towler Negative & Print xiv. 132 The screen will have to be shoved further off from the lens on the opposite side, and the picture becomes thereby enlarged. 1871English Mechanic 24 Feb. 549/3 Cheap Enlarging Camera. Ibid. 5 May 166/2 [A] condenser..for enlarging with a 1/4 plate lens. 1878Abney Treat. Photogr. Index, Enlarged photographs. 1903A. Watkins Photogr. (ed. 2) 43 Daylight Enlarging. Ibid. 44 In commencing..to calculate enlarging exposures. Ibid., The indicated exposure will be right for a decidedly dense negative without taking into account the increase for the enlarging factor. Ibid. 47 Most photographers want to enlarge from a negative of settled size to one size of paper. 1959Chamber's Encycl. X. 688/2 The position of the enlarging lens is adjustable with respect to the negative. 3. Figurative applications of 1. a. To extend the range or scope of. † Also, to spread, promote the diffusion of (a belief) (obs.).
1553Eden Treat. Newe Ind. Title (Arb.) 3 God is glorified and the Christian fayth enlarged. 1594Hooker Eccl. Pol. i. iii, We somewhat more enlarging the sence thereof. 1656H. Philipps Purch. Patt. (1676) 139 To enlarge this Table, that so it may shew not only..half inches, but the quarters, or tenth parts of Inches. 1668in Phil. Trans. II. 3 The endeavours of the Authour for the improving and enlarging his Philosophical Commerce. 1742Richardson Pamela IV. 102 Till I have catch'd her a little inlarging her innocent Freedoms, as she calls them. 1782Priestley Corr. of Christianity II. x. 244 Justinian greatly enlarged this kind of authority. 1884Earl Selborne in Law Times Rep. New Ser. L. 3 He cannot..enlarge in his own favour the legal..operation of the instrument. b. To widen, render more comprehensive (a person's thoughts, sympathies, affections); to expand, increase the capacity of (the mind).
1665Glanvill Sceps. Sci. 74 Science indeed inlargeth: But there's a knowledge that only puffeth up. a1704T. Brown Dk. Ormond's Recov. Wks. 1730 I. 51 His mind enlarg'd, and boundless as the sky. 1736Butler Anal. i. i, Persons' notions of what is natural, will be enlarged. 1850McCosh Div. Govt. ii. i. (1874) 152 Geologists would enlarge our conceptions of Time. 1868Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) II. vii. 41 His own mind was enlarged and enriched by foreign travel. c. to enlarge the heart: to ‘expand’, ‘swell’ the heart with gratitude or affection (in this sense sometimes with personal obj., after 2 Cor. vi. 13); now usually, to increase the capacity of the heart for affection, widen the range of the affections.
1611Bible 2 Cor. vi. 11 O yee Corinthians, our mouth is open vnto you, our heart is enlarged. Ibid. 13 Be ye also inlarged. 1638Rouse Heav. Univ. v. x. (1702) 151 Be thou enlarged in thy return of Thanks and Glory to Him. 1667Milton P.L. viii. 590 Love refines The thoughts, and heart enlarges. 1741Richardson Pamela II. 156 My Heart is..more inlarg'd with his Goodness and Condescension. 1848Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 162 All hearts..were enlarged and softened. 1852Robertson Lect. 177 Enlarge your tastes, that you may enlarge your hearts as well as your pleasures. d. to enlarge the hand: to open the hand wide, be liberal. Obs. or arch. Cf. large-handed.
1651Life Father Sarpi (1676) 63 It was thought necessary for him to enlarge his hand to those that managed Bread and wine. †e. To extend (the time allowed for an action); to grant or obtain an extension of time for (a lease, bankruptcy, etc.). Obs.
1656H. Philipps Purch. Patt. (1676) B vij b, Leases..lately inlarged to 60 years. 1677Marvell Corr. cccv. Wks. 1872–5 II. 548 We shall perceive whether his Majesty thinke fit to..inlarge the adjournment. 1725Lond. Gaz. No. 6435/3 The..Time was..enlarged for Joseph Lacy..for surrendring himself. 1812Exam. 24 Aug. 537/1 Bankruptcy Enlarged, J. Chatterton..flour-merchant, from June 27 to September 9. 1863H. Cox Instit. i. vi. 36 An Act..for enlarging the time of continuance of Parliaments. f. Law. to enlarge an estate: said of the effect of a release which, e.g. converts a life-interest, or a tenancy for a term of years, into a fee-simple or fee-tail. (The sense may perh. belong to branch II.)
1574tr. Littleton's Tenures 97 b, Releases..sometime have theire effecte by force to enlarge the estate [AF. enlarger lestate] of them, to whome the release is made. 1597Daniel Civ. Wares viii. lix, To confer First, how he might have her estate inlarg'd. 1818Cruise Digest VI. 321 If Popham..should not enlarge his estate to an estate tail. 4. a. refl. (in senses 1– 3.) To increase or widen in extent, bulk, or scope.
1413Lydg. Pilgr. Sowle iv. xxx. (1483) 77 Gold wylle well enduren under the hamoure enlargyng hymself withouten crasure. 1591Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, i. ii. 134 Glory is like a Circle in the Water, Which neuer ceaseth to enlarge it selfe. 1823Lamb Elia Ser. ii. (1865), Enlarging themselves, if I may say so, upon familiarity. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) III. 28 Our ideas will have to enlarge themselves. b. intr. for refl.
1481Caxton Myrr. iii. i. 132 Yf therthe were gretter than the sone, thenne the shadowe of þ⊇ sone shold goo enlargyng. 1541R. Copland Guydon's Quest. Chirurg., Fro whiche cometh a corde that thre fyngre brede fro the elbow enlargeth and compriseth all the elbow. 1756–82J. Warton Ess. Pope (1782) I. vii. 406 The figure of Fame enlarging and growing every moment. 1776Withering Bot. Arrangem. (1796) IV. 265 The hollow very fine, but soon enlarging by the shrinking of the spongy flesh. 1845Budd Dis. Liver 352 His belly began to enlarge. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) IV. 281 As our knowledge increases, our perception of the mind enlarges also. 1879Carpenter Ment. Phys. i. ii. §61. 62 A sort of core..which enlarges in the parts of the Cord that give off the nerve-trunks. †c. Of the wind, thunder: To increase in force. Obs.
1628Digby Voy. Medit. (1868) 15 If the wind had not suddainely enlarged. 1762–9Falconer Shipwr. iii. 436 Loud, and more loud, the rolling peals enlarge. 5. †a. refl. To expand (oneself) in words, give free vent to one's thoughts in speech. Also, in similar sense, to enlarge one's heart. Obs.
1614Raleigh Hist. World II. v. iii. §15. 441 It will appeare more commendable in wise men, to enlarge themselues, and to publish, etc. 1651Fuller Abel Rediv., Bradford (1867) I. 221 He enlarged himself in a most sweet meditation, of the wedding garment. 1660Trial Regic. 154, I found he began to inlarge his heart to me. 1678Cudworth Intell. Syst. i. i. §39. 48 The Platonists frequently take occasion from hence to enlarge themselves much in the disparagement of Corporeal things. b. intr. for refl. To speak at large, expatiate. Const. on, upon; formerly also simply.
1659Hammond On Ps. 3, I shall not here inlarge to insert. 1664Butler Hud. ii. ii. 68, I shall enlarge upon the Point. 1771Junius Lett. liv. 283 [He] enlarges with rapture upon the importance of his services. 1818Jas. Mill Brit. India II. v. v. 500 He was somewhat disposed to enlarge in praise of himself. 1830Lyell Princ. Geol. I. 323 Respecting Southern Italy, Sicily, and the Lipari Isles, we need not enlarge here. 1833H. Martineau Vanderput & S. vi. 99 He enlarged once more on the avarice and cowardice of the banks. II. 6. a. To set at large; to release from confinement or bondage. Somewhat arch. Cf. Fr. élargir.
1494Fabyan vi. cxlix. 136 In this passe tyme, Gryffon, the yonger brother, was enlargyd frome pryson. 1560J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 453 b, The captiue Cardinalles at the length putting in suerties are inlarged. 1580Sidney Arcadia (1622) 329 Like a Lionesse lately enlarged. 1605Camden Rem. 22 Edward the third enlarged them first from that bondage. 1616J. Lane Sqr.'s Tale ix. 277 Algarsifes soldiers..demaundes theire General enlardgd. 1761–2Hume Hist. Eng. (1806) V. lxvii. 108 No man, after being enlarged by order of court, can be recommitted for the same offence. 1878Simpson Sch. Shaks. I. 39 He was enlarged upon sureties. b. spec. in Hunting.
1880Daily Tel. 20 Oct., We are close to the spot where the stag is to be enlarged. c. transf. and fig.
1593B. Barnes in Farr S.P. Eliz. (1845) I. 43 Deare Davids Sonne [who should from hell]..pooṙe sinners both inlarge and save. 1597Sir W. Slingsby in Slingsby Diary (1836) 252 If we [wind-bound sailors] be not inlarged within these 20 dayes. 1639Fuller Holy War iii. viii. (1840) 130 King Richard would not enlarge him from the strictness of what was concluded. 1725Pope Odyss. iv. 796 The friendly Gods a springing gale inlarg'd. 1796Morse Amer. Geog. I. 683 A round ball..in the heat of summer, opens and enlarges a number of male insects. † III. 7. To bestow liberally; to endow with bountiful gifts. [So OF. enlargir; cf. L. largīrī.]
1491Caxton Vitas Patr. (W. de W. 1495) i. xliv. 73 b/1, He enlarged to the poore grete quantite of his goodes temporall. 1513Bradshaw St. Werburge i. 1669 Clothes of Dyaper, Rychely enlarged with syluer and with golde. 1607H. Arthington Goodl. God in Farr S.P. Jas. I (1848) 263 How much are we, Lord, bound to thee, For all thy favours every way, Inlarged so aboundantly. 1657S. Purchas Pol. Flying Ins. i. i. 2 The great Artifex of Nature hath enlarged the smaller creatures with wisdome, and invention. IV. 8. to enlarge a horse (see quot.) [after OF. élargir].
1753Chambers Cycl. Supp., Enlarge, in the manege, is used for making a horse go large, that is, making him embrace more ground than he before covered. Hence enˈlarge n., the action of setting free. enˈlargeable a., capable of being enlarged. enˈlargeableness, the quality of being enlargeable.
1608T. Middleton Fam. of Love (1885) i. ii. 127 My absence may procure thy more enlarge. 1653Shirley Crt. Secret ii. iii, I may entreat her grace's mediation To the King for his enlarge. 1881Palgrave Visions Eng. Pref. 11 The more large or enlargeable are their technical powers. 1878Lockyer Stargazing 457 If the negative is well defined—that is, if it possesses the quality of enlargeableness. |