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Distending Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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distending

[dษชหˆstษ›ndษชล‹ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

medical term

To distend means to stretch or swell something, typically due to the accumulation of fluid or gas. It is often used to describe the expansion of body parts, such as the abdomen, which can occur due to various medical conditions.

Synonyms

enlarge, expand, inflate, swell.

Examples of usage

  • The patient's abdomen was distending rapidly.
  • Excessive gas can cause the stomach to distend.
  • The doctor noted that the distending swelling was a sign of an underlying issue.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

  • In biology, distending can refer to the expansion of organs, such as the stomach after eating.
  • It's common in medical contexts to describe conditions that result in swelling or enlargement of body parts.
  • The concept is essential in physics as well, where it describes the expansion of gases when heated.

Health

  • Distended abdomen can be a sign of various health issues, such as gas buildup or other digestive problems.
  • In emergency medicine, distinguishing between normal distention and pathological conditions is crucial.
  • Proper hydration and diet can help manage and prevent uncomfortable distension in the stomach.

Art & Literature

  • In literature, distending can be used metaphorically to describe emotions that grow and expand, like love or fear.
  • Artists may depict distorted forms in paintings to convey a sense of expansion or avoidance of the ordinary.
  • This word often appears in descriptions of character emotions, illustrating how feelings can stretch and overwhelm a person.

Origin of 'distending'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'distentio', meaning 'to stretch out or enlarge'.
  • The prefix 'dis-' means 'apart' or 'away', while 'tend' relates to stretching or extending.
  • Many scientific terms have roots in Latin; 'distending' is linked to a variety of terms that describe stretching or expanding.

The term 'distending' derives from the Latin word 'distendere' which means 'to stretch apart'. This Latin word is composed of 'dis-', meaning 'apart', and 'tendere', meaning 'to stretch'. The evolution of the term in the English language can be traced back to the early 15th century. Initially, it was used in medical contexts to describe bodily conditions where parts were swollen due to fluid accumulation or internal pressure. Over time, its usage expanded to include more general applications in various fields such as biology and even everyday language, often relating to the concept of expansion or enlargement due to external forces.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #33,555 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.