好词典

dilate

UK //daɪˈleɪt//US //ˈdaɪleɪt//

词源

源自拉丁语 'dilatare',由 'dis-'(分开)和 'latus'(宽的)组成,字面意思为「使变宽」。14世纪后期进入英语。

verb

❶ 指身体部位的扩大或膨胀,通常用于描述瞳孔、血管等在生理或病理状态下的扩张现象。

“The doctor used eye drops to dilate my pupils for the examination.”

(医生用眼药水扩大我的瞳孔以便检查。)

“Blood vessels dilate in response to heat to help cool the body.”

(血管遇热会扩张以帮助身体降温。)

❶ 引申为对话题、观点等进行详细阐述或扩展说明的行为。

“She dilated on the importance of education for nearly an hour.”

(她花了近一小时详细阐述教育的重要性。)

“The professor dilated upon the historical context of the novel.”

(教授详细扩展了这部小说的历史背景。)

同义词:expand, enlarge, elaborate, expound, swell

常见短语

dilate on — 详细讨论或描述某个主题,通常指长时间或深入地展开说明。

“He loves to dilate on his travels in South America.”

(他喜欢详细讲述他在南美洲的旅行经历。)