expansibleadj.
/ɛkˈspansɪb(ə)l/ That can be expanded.
1. That can be opened or spread out.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > [adjective] > spread out > that can be spread out
expansible1736
1736 N. Bailey et al. Dictionarium Britannicum (ed. 2) Expansible,..capable of being expanded, spread wide or displayed.
1876 R. Bartholow Pract. Treat. Materia Med. ii. 69 An intra-uterine speculum with expansible blades.
2.
a. That can be made to occupy or contain a larger space; esp. of material substances, capable of expansion by heat, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > expansion or enlargement > [adjective] > capable of being expanded
dilatable1610
expansiblea1691
expansile1776
enlargeable1881
expandable1926
a1691 R. Boyle Gen. Hist. Air (1692) ii. 5 Readily expansible..by Heat.
1792 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 82 401 Whenever water is in a state of evaporation, an expansible fluid, composed of water and fire, is produced.
1812 H. Davy Elements Chem. Philos. 70 Glass is less expansible than any of the metals.
1871 B. Stewart Heat (ed. 2) §80 The most expansible metal will form the outside or convex surface of the curve, and the least expansible the concave.
b. Of an immaterial object: Capable of being enlarged in scope or operation.
ΚΠ
1852 T. De Quincey in Hogg's Instructor New Ser. 8 97/2 The great moving and expansible system of theology.
1884 Sir N. Lindley in Law Times Rep. 9 Feb. 727/2 A market..limited by metes and bounds, so as not to be expansible.
Derivatives
exˈpansibleness n. the quality of being expansible; expansibility.
exˈpansibly adv. in an expansible manner; so as to be expanded.
ΚΠ
1847 in J. Craig New Universal Dict. ; and in mod. Dicts.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1894; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
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adj.a1691