ENLARGEMENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does enlargement mean? 

• ENLARGEMENT (noun)
  The noun ENLARGEMENT has 4 senses:

1. the act of increasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope

2. the state of being enlarged

3. a discussion that provides additional information

4. a photographic print that has been enlarged

  Familiarity information: ENLARGEMENT used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ENLARGEMENT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of increasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

enlargement; expansion

Hypernyms ("enlargement" is a kind of...):

increase; step-up (the act of increasing something)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "enlargement"):

dilatation; dilation (the act of expanding an aperture)

distension; distention (the act of expanding by pressure from within)

stretching (act of expanding by lengthening or widening)

inflation (the act of filling something with air)

magnification (the act of expanding something in apparent size)

extension (act of expanding in scope; making more widely available)

Derivation:

enlarge (make larger)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The state of being enlarged

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("enlargement" is a kind of...):

state (the way something is with respect to its main attributes)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "enlargement"):

pseudobulb (a solid bulblike enlargement of the stem of some orchids)

lump; puffiness; swelling (an abnormal protuberance or localized enlargement)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A discussion that provides additional information

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

elaboration; enlargement; expansion

Hypernyms ("enlargement" is a kind of...):

discourse; discussion; treatment (an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "enlargement"):

expatiation (a discussion (spoken or written) that enlarges on a topic or theme at length or in detail)

embellishment; embroidery (elaboration of an interpretation by the use of decorative (sometimes fictitious) detail)

Derivation:

enlarge (add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A photographic print that has been enlarged

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

blowup; enlargement; magnification

Hypernyms ("enlargement" is a kind of...):

exposure; photo; photograph; pic; picture (a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide or in digital format)

Derivation:

enlarge (make large)

 Context examples 

An abnormal enlargement of the terminal phalanges accompanied by increased length-wise curvature of the nails, giving the digits a club-like appearance.

(Clubbing of Fingers, NCI Thesaurus)

An enlargement of the tips of the fingers or toes and a change in the angle where the nails emerge.

(Digital Clubbing, NCI Thesaurus)

Thyroid gland enlargement caused by inadequate dietary iodine intake.

(Endemic Goiter, NCI Thesaurus)

Hyperplasia of the germinal centers resulting in the enlargement of the lymph node.

(Follicular Lymph Node Hyperplasia, NCI Thesaurus)

An electrocardiographic assessment of chamber hypertrophy or enlargement.

(Chamber Hypertrophy or Enlargement ECG Assessment, NCI Thesaurus)

Enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes usually due to infections or involvement by malignant neoplasms.

(Cervical Lymphadenopathy, NCI Thesaurus)

Excessive enlargement of one or both breasts.

(Breast Hypertrophy, NCI Thesaurus)

Subsequently, there is lymph node enlargement around the scratch or bite site.

(Cat-Scratch Disease, NCI Thesaurus)

Grossly, advanced cervical adenocarcinoma may present as an exophytic mass, an ulcerated lesion, or diffuse cervical enlargement.

(Cervical adenocarcinoma, NCI Thesaurus)

Type 1, the most common form, causes liver and spleen enlargement, bone pain and broken bones, and, sometimes, lung and kidney problems.

(Gaucher's Disease, NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)