Expand, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Expanded; p. pr. & vb. n. Expanding.]
Etymology: [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 Ant: 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.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Expand, 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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for expand; he lists it under amplify.
Where he writes about it:
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