\Ex*pand"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Expanded}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Expanding}.] [L. expandere, expansum; ex out + pandere to
spread out, to throw open; perh. akin to E. patent. Cf.
{Spawn}.]
1. To lay open by extending; to open wide; to spread out; to
   diffuse; as, a flower expands its leaves.
         Then with expanded wings he steers his flight.
                                               --Milton.
2. To cause the particles or parts of to spread themselves or
   stand apart, thus increasing bulk without addition of
   substance; to make to occupy more space; to dilate; to
   distend; to extend every way; to enlarge; -- opposed to
   {contract}; as, to expand the chest; heat expands all
   bodies; to expand the sphere of benevolence.
3. (Math.) To state in enlarged form; to develop; as, to
   expand an equation. See {Expansion}, 5.

\Ex*pand"\, v. i.
To become widely opened, spread apart, dilated, distended, or
enlarged; as, flowers expand in the spring; metals expand by
heat; the heart expands with joy. --Dryden.