dilatar (spanish) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

Verb

Phonetic Transcription

/dila'taɾ/

Translation Options into English

• To dilate
• To expand
• To stretch

Meaning and Usage

In the Spanish language, "dilatar" predominantly means to make something larger in size, to expand, or to stretch out. It is often used in both medical contexts, such as the dilation of blood vessels or pupils, and general contexts, such as when referring to time, space, or physical objects.

The word is relatively common, used in both oral and written contexts, though it may appear more frequently in specialized fields like medicine or law.

Example Sentences

1. La doctora decidió dilatar la pupila del paciente para realizar un examen más detallado.
   The doctor decided to dilate the patient's pupil to conduct a more detailed examination.

2. El nuevo sistema de riego puede dilatar el tiempo de crecimiento de las plantas.
   The new irrigation system can expand the growth time of the plants.

3. La respuesta a la propuesta puede dilatarse debido a la falta de consenso.
   The response to the proposal may be delayed due to a lack of consensus.

Idiomatic Expressions

"Dilatar" is less commonly found in idiomatic expressions as an individual verb, but it contributes to phrases or concepts related to extension or delay in specific contexts.

Example Sentences with Idiomatic Expressions

1. No podemos dilatar más la decisión, ya que el tiempo está en nuestra contra.
   We cannot delay the decision any longer, as time is against us.

2. Al dilatar la discusión, se perdió la oportunidad de llegar a un acuerdo.
   By prolonging the discussion, the opportunity to reach an agreement was lost.

3. Es importante no dilatar las responsabilidades; hay que actuar con prontitud.
   It is important not to procrastinate on responsibilities; one must act promptly.

Etymology

The word "dilatar" comes from Latin "dilatāre," which means to spread out or expand, and is derived from "dis-" meaning 'apart' and "latare," which means to carry or to bear. Over time, the word maintained its core meaning of expansion in various contexts in Romance languages.

Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms

• Expandir (to expand)
• Ampliar (to enlarge)
• Estirar (to stretch)

Antonyms

• Contraer (to contract)
• Reducir (to reduce)
• Comprimir (to compress)

In summary, "dilatar" is an important verb in the Spanish language, used in various contexts with a consistent theme of expansion or delay. Its applications span from everyday conversation to specialized fields like medicine and law, reflecting its versatility and significance.