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. [ 1913 Webster ]
To enlarge their possessions of land. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
O ye Corinthians, our . . . heart is enlarged. 2 Cor. vi. 11. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. To set at large or set free. [ Archaic ] [ 1913 Webster ]
It will enlarge us from all restraints. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]
Enlarging hammer, a hammer with a slightly rounded face of large diameter; -- used by gold beaters. Knight. --
To enlarge an order or
To enlarge a 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. [ 1913 Webster ]