▪ (of the universe) undergo a continuous change whereby, according to theory based on observed red shifts, all the galaxies recede from one another.
▪ give a fuller version or account of: "the minister expanded on the government's proposals"Similarelaborate onenlarge onadd detail togo into detail aboutflesh output flesh on the bones ofdevelopsupplementamplifyexpatiate onembellishembroiderpad outfill outOppositetouch on
▪ become less reserved in character or behaviour:"Alice opened and expanded in this normality"Similarrelaxunbendbecome relaxedgrow friendlierbecome less reservedbecome more sociableinformal:loosen uphang looseOppositetense upclam up
Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin expandere ‘to spread out’, from ex- ‘out’ + pandere ‘to spread’.