stretch

[[t]strɛtʃ[/t]]

v. t.

1) to spread out fully:

to stretch oneself out on the ground[/ex]

2) to extend to the limit:

stretched out her arms[/ex]

3) to cause to extend from one point or place to another:

to stretch a rope across a road[/ex]

4) to draw tight or taut:

to stretch the strings of a violin[/ex]

5) to distend or enlarge by tension:

to stretch a rubber band[/ex]

6) to draw out, extend, or enlarge unduly:

The jacket was stretched at the elbows[/ex]

7) to extend, force, or make serve beyond the normal or proper limits; strain:

to stretch the facts[/ex]

8) to exert (oneself) to the utmost

9) to recline at full length:

to stretch out on a couch[/ex]

10) to extend one's limbs or body

11) to extend over a distance:

The forest stretches for miles[/ex]

12) to extend in time:

His memory stretches back to his early childhood[/ex]

13) to become stretched without breaking

14) an act or instance of stretching

15) the state of being stretched

16) a continuous length:

a stretch of meadow[/ex]

17) spo the backstretch or homestretch of a racetrack

18) an extent in time:

a stretch of ten years[/ex]

19) elasticity

20) a term of imprisonment

21) tex (of yarn) having high elasticity

22) tex made from such yarn: stretch denim

23) trs longer than standard:

stretch limousine[/ex]

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Etymology: bef. 900; ME strecchen (v.), OE streccan, c. OFrisstrekka, MD, MLG strecken, OHG strecchan stretch′a•ble, adj. stretch`a•bil′i•ty, n.