Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- the act of dilating; state of being dilated.
- dilatation.
1590s, formed from dilate on the mistaken assumption that the -ate in that word was the Latin verbal suffix (it is instead part of the stem); the proper form, dilatation, is older (c.1400).
n.
- The act of expanding or the condition of being expanded.
- Dilatation.
- The widening or stretching of an opening or a hollow structure in the body.