Enlarge, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Enlarged; p. pr. & vb. n. Enlarging.]
Etymology: [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 or 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.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Enlarge, 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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for enlarge; he lists it under add, amplify.
Where he writes about it:
We may enlarge a house, a farm, or an empire, extend influence or dominion, augment riches, power or influence, attach or annex a building to one that it adjoins or papers to the document they refer to, annex a clause or a codicil, affix a seal or a signature, annex a territory, attach a condition to a promise. — from add
We may develop a thought, expand an illustration, extend a discussion, expatiate on a hobby, dilate on something joyous or sad, enlarge a volume, unfold a scheme, widen the range of treatment. — from amplify