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Expand vs Relax - What's the difference?

expand | relax |

In transitive terms the difference between expand and relax

is that expand is to express (something) at length and/or in detail while relax is to relieve (something) from stress.

In intransitive terms the difference between expand and relax

is that expand is to feel generous or optimistic while relax is to become less severe or tense.

expand

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • (label) To change (something) from a smaller form and/or size to a larger one.
  • (label) To increase the extent, number, volume or scope of (something).
  • * (John Milton) (1608-1674)
  • Then with expanded wings he steers his flight.
  • (label) To express (something) at length and/or in detail.
  • To rewrite (an expression) as a longer, yet equivalent sum of terms.
  • To multiply both the numerator and the denominator of a fraction by the same natural number yielding a fraction of equal value
  • (label) To (be) change(d) from a smaller form/size to a larger one.
  • (label) To (be) increase(d) in extent, number, volume or scope.
  • (label) To speak or write at length or in detail.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1899, author=(Stephen Crane)
  • , title=, chapter=1 , passage=There was some laughter, and Roddle was left free to expand his ideas on the periodic visits of cowboys to the town. “Mason Rickets, he had ten big punkins a-sittin' in front of his store, an' them fellers from the Upside-down-F ranch shot 'em up […].”}}
  • (label) To feel generous or optimistic.
  • Synonyms

    * open out, spread, spread out, unfold * enlarge * (to express at length or in detail) elaborate (on), expand on

    Antonyms

    * contract * contract * factor

    Derived terms

    * expandable * expander

    relax

    English

    Verb

    (es)
  • To calm down.
  • To make something loose.
  • to relax''' a rope or cord; to '''relax the muscles or sinews
  • * Milton
  • Horror all his joints relaxed .
  • To become loose.
  • To make something less severe or tense.
  • to relax''' discipline; to '''relax one's attention or endeavours
  • To become less severe or tense.
  • To make something (such as codes and regulations) more lenient.
  • * Jonathan Swift
  • The stature of mortmain was at several times relaxed by the legislature.
    {{quote-book
    , year=1953 , author=Edward Corwin , title=The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation , chapter=Section 2. Jurisdiction citation , page=589 , passage=The Court rejected the contention that the doctrine of sovereign immunity should be relaxed as inapplicable to suits for specific relief as distinguished from damage suits, saying: "The Government, as representative of the community as a whole, cannot be stopped in its tracks by any plaintiff who presents a disputed question of property or contract right."}}
  • (of codes and regulations) To become more lenient.
  • To relieve (something) from stress.
  • Amusement relaxes the mind.
  • (dated) To relieve from constipation; to loosen; to open.
  • An aperient relaxes the bowels.

    Antonyms

    * stress, excite

    Derived terms

    * relaxable

    Anagrams

    * ----