En*large" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Enlarged (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Enlarging (?).] [OF. enlargier; pref. en- (L. in) + F. large wide. See Large.]
1.
To make larger; to increase in quantity or dimensions; to extend in limits; to magnify; as, the body is enlarged by nutrition; to enlarge one's house.
To enlarge their possessions of land.
Locke.
2.
To increase the capacity of; to expand; to give free scope or greater scope to; also, to dilate, as with joy, affection, and the like; as, knowledge enlarges the mind.
O ye Corinthians, our . . . heart is enlarged.
2 Cor. vi. 11.
3.
To set at large or set free.
[Archaic]
It will enlarge us from all restraints.
Barrow.
Enlarging hammer, a hammer with a slightly rounded face of large diameter; -- used by gold beaters. Knight. -- To enlarge an order ∨ rule Law, to extend the time for complying with it. Abbott. -- To enlarge one's self, to give free vent to speech; to spread out discourse. "They enlarged themselves on this subject." Clarendon. -- To enlarge the heart, to make free, liberal, and charitable.
Syn. -- To increase; extend; expand; spread; amplify; augment; magnify. See Increase.
© Webster 1913.
En*large", v. i.
1.
To grow large or larger; to be further extended; to expand; as, a plant enlarges by growth; an estate enlarges by good management; a volume of air enlarges by rarefaction.
2.
To speak or write at length; to be diffuse in speaking or writing; to expatiate; to dilate.
To enlarge upon this theme.
M. Arnold.
3. Naut.
To get more astern or parallel with the vessel's course; to draw aft; -- said of the wind.
© Webster 1913.